The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation awarded a grant to the Central Caribbean Marine Institute in Little Cayman to support its WILD program (Whole-Island Lionfish Defense). GHOF has been a long time supporter of the research CCMI conducts on the impacts of invasive lionfish on native fishes and coral reefs.
“CCMI continues to be at the forefront of the lionfish issue,” says world-renowned marine artist and conservationist Guy Harvey. “From studying the effects of this invasive fish on our reefs to engaging the public in lionfish culls, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation is proud to continue supporting this important work.”
With GHOF’s multi-year support and the assistance of the local dive community and partners from the University of Florida, CCMI has one of the longest continuous lionfish research projects in the wider Caribbean with data from over 4300 lionfish since 2011.
A three-year study focused on whether lionfish removal efforts adequately sustain populations of ecologically and economically important native fish in the Cayman Islands. Results show that sites with consistent lionfish removal efforts have ~70% higher native fish density compared to sites where lionfish are not removed. Lionfish densities are also three times lower at regularly culled sites around Little Cayman than at non-culled sites. This project has generated strong conservation results, and has been locally helpful in preserving biodiversity in one of the most successful marine protected areas in the Caribbean, Bloody Bay Marine Park.
“This work will hopefully provide new answers for nations throughout the region facing economic losses as a result of the lionfish invasion” said Dr. Allison Candelmo, CCMI Research Associate. “We are confident that the lionfish culling techniques used in our study will be widely applicable throughout the lionfish’s invaded range” said Dr. Candelmo.
In addition to the weekly culls, Little Cayman also hosts a culling tournament. The 2nd Annual Little Cayman Lionfish Culling Tournament will take place on July 15th, 2015. Following the cull on July 18th, participants are invited to Little Cayman Beach Resort for the judging and awards ceremony and a lionfish cookout.

Founded in 1998, the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) is guided by its mission to conduct and facilitate research, education, outreach and conservation programs that will sustain marine biodiversity for future generations. The CCMI Little Cayman Research Centre hosts numerous research and educational programs for groups ranging from elementary school to university faculty. For more information or to contact the CCMI, please visit our website at http://www.reefresearch.org; E-mail: [email protected]; Telephone: +1 (609) 423-4248.