Florida Got Tougher on Lionfish -- So Can You!

Lionfish. Copyright 2012, Jackson Landers

The state of Florida is suddenly getting a lot tougher on invasive lionfish in its laws and regulations for killing them. This decision will not cause lionfish to be completely removed from the coast of Florida. But I would like to remind everyone of what the bedrock ecological value is that dictates the removal of invasive species.

Prevention of extinction. We have got to stop species from becoming extinct. The three factors that tend to lead to this extraordinary rate of extinction that the world is now seeing are loss of habitat, global warming, and invasive species. Plenty of people and organizations are doing something about the first two factors but precious little is happening to stop the third.

Don't you ever let anyone tell you that the fact that lionfish are now well established on the east coast means that we shouldn't fight them. Ditto any other invasive species. Even when its widespread and when we can't possibly kill them all. Because sometimes all it takes for an endangered species to hang in there and survive is one little toe-hold. One place where that species can exist safely.

Recently there was news about the 'tree lobster' that survived on a cliff face on one little island in the Pacific. This species was thought to be extinct for 80 years. And on this one island, on one cliff, around one surviving plant, it hung on and made it.

You can create an island like that, Yes, YOU. Find a park or a waste area and take personal responsibility. Remove the invasive species and trash and keep that place healthy. I know that the rest of the world is going to hell right beyond your little acre of habitat, but ignore it. You keep your little corner alive and growing.

Liberal rules for the removal of lionfish in Florida are going to make this practice that much easier.  People can take personal responsibility for their own little patch of reef and get every lionfish out of that place. And then maybe, if a species is in trouble because of the invasion of lionfish, it can hang on right there for a long time.

You don't need to wait for a government program. You don't need to sign up for anything or look for a budget or anyone's permission. Just take personal responsibility right now for a little patch of land or water and get the invasives and trash out of that little place. And maybe 80 years from now we will find out that some species like the tree lobster has hung on and survived in the face of extinction because of that little patch that you took charge of.

Remember that all of the invasives won't make it in the long run. Sometimes a new species shows up and spreads and dominates and pushes out native species, only to succumb to the temperatures or rainfall shifts or predator population cycles over a period of 50 or 100 years. Will the native endangered species still be here to repopulate after the invasive is knocked out? We need islands where these native species can survive to even have a chance.

You can do this! All on your own! You don't need a budget or a government program. Don't wait for the federal studies to wrap up (they just go on forever until the money runs out). Pick a spot where you want your own little truffula tree to grow and be ruthless in your protection of it. Use a fish spear, pruning shears, Round-Up, a rifle, a bow and arrow, or whatever is necessary to keep out the invasive species in question.

This change starts with you. If you see an invasive species near you then don't wait for someone else to deal with it. Whether its feral pigs, water hyacinth, lionfish, Chinese mystery snails or silver carp, find whatever corner you can take charge of and own the problem.