500 lionfish removed in Keys roundup

LONG KEY, Fla. - There's no better way to rid coral reefs of an invasive species than a roundup!

That's exactly what happened in Long Key.

Divers successfully removed 531 lionfish from the water.

The event was the Second Annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby Series organized by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Reef Environmental Education Foundation, also known as REEF.

Teams of divers competed for a cash prizes of over $3,350 in categories of most, largest and smallest lionfish.

Team “Strategery” of Key Largo netted a grand for most lionfish with their haul of 158 fish collected in the single-day event.

Team “Full Circle” of Islamorada, won $500 for largest lionfish with a 14-inch fish.

Team “Key Lime Good Time” of Miami took home $500 for the smallest lionfish at 2 ½ inches.

The remaining 2011 lionfish derbies are scheduled for August 20 and Nov. 5 in Key Largo and Key West respectively.

To register online, click here .