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Study Finds One Diver Cuts Lionfish 90% in 1,000m²

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 4:28 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Nate Sorensen Spears Lionfish

Nate Sorensen, a U.S. diver, leads spearing of lionfish on Florida reefs.
NOAA predicts Florida’s lionfish population will keep growing despite culling efforts.
A study finds one diver can reduce lionfish by 90% in 1,000 m² after 2.5 dive hours.
Associate professor Alastair Harborne says culling lowers local lionfish density on reefs.
Florida permits year-round lionfish hunting with no daily catch limit and licenses only for commercial divers.

Summary

Lionfish Expand Northward

Lionfish females lay up to 2 million eggs annually and spawn every four days.
Lionfish tolerate brackish water, threatening mangrove and estuary fish spawning grounds.
Drifting egg sacs enable lionfish to colonize distant habitats.
Rising ocean temperatures could allow northward expansion along the Eastern Seaboard.
NOAA reports a population surge since the 1980s aquarium-release detection, over the past 15 years.

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Nate Sorensen Spears Lionfish

Nate Sorensen, a U.S. diver, leads spearing of lionfish on Florida reefs.
NOAA predicts Florida’s lionfish population will keep growing despite culling efforts.
A study finds one diver can reduce lionfish by 90% in 1,000 m² after 2.5 dive hours.
Associate professor Alastair Harborne says culling lowers local lionfish density on reefs.
Florida permits year-round lionfish hunting with no daily catch limit and licenses only for commercial divers.

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