Reporting of lionfish Pterois volitans/miles (Linnaeus, 1758) in the coastal area of Dzilam de Bravo, Yucatan, Mexico

Here in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly in the state of Yucatan, the lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) is a predatory fish which is also present. There have been catches registered in areas more than 100 Km off the coast, as far as the Alacranes Reef (22 & DEG;22 & PRIME;5 N, 89 & DEG;40 & PRIME;57 O). In the month of August 2020, fishermen from the community of Dzilam de Bravo, captured an adult lionfish which registered 338 mm in length and weighed 568 g. The marine landscape in this site is made up of rock formations, where juvenile fish of different species live side-by-side. The wide ranging and voracious diet of the lionfish have a variety of fry and juvenile fish species, presents a potential threat to species that are of commercial fisheries interest. Consequently, fishermen from the community are understandably concerned with the proximity of the lionfish, which have been captured in the area. Their presence in the fisheries zone presents a threat to the fishermen's livelihood. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to analyze and present an early warning, which will encourage the corresponding authorities to monitor the lionfish population around the Yucatan coastline.

Automated summary

The invasive lionfish in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly in the state of Yucatan, poses a potential threat to commercial fisheries. A study aimed to analyze and provide an early warning to authorities regarding the lionfish population around the Yucatan coastline. An adult lionfish measuring 338 mm in length and weighing 568 g was captured by fishermen in Dzilam de Bravo.