Lionfish Research and Response
In the Gulf of Mexico lionfish have been reported since 2006. They have occupied offshore and inshore waters and are regularly observed by SCUBA divers, snorkelers and fishermen in water depths from 5 to 300 ft on hard bottom, coral reef and artificial substrates, including seagrass beds and estuarine and freshwater systems.
The Nature Conservancy is working with federal and state agencies and non-governmental partners and scientists in the US, Mexico and Cuba in understanding the research gaps and impacts of lionfish in the Gulf habitats and ecosystems such as coral reefs and artificial reefs.