Competitive grants would be made available to help eliminate the invasive lionfish from South Florida waters under bipartisan legislation reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) on Wednesday.
Lionfish, with no known predators in the region, can consume up to 40 sportfish per day, which has hurt South Florida’s recreational fishing industry. Females can spawn up to 2 million eggs per year.
The Finding Innovative Lionfish Elimination Technologies (FILET) Act, which Curbelo introduced with U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), would make competitive grants available to universities and nonprofit research organizations to develop technologies to eradicate the lionfish.
“For decades, coastal communities along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico have faced a growing ecological and economic threat from Lionfish,” Curbelo said. “As private entities continue to research new and innovative ways to combat this invasive species, government should allocate resources to address this major risk to South Florida’s marine fisheries, habitats and ecosystems.”
Lionfish also consume herbivores that clean algae from coral reefs, which has had a negative impact on the health of South Florida’s reefs.
“The invasive lionfish has wreaked havoc throughout the oceans along the southeastern United States,” Hastings said. “Damage to reefs and marine life has detrimental effects on the economies of these areas. This bipartisan legislation will spur innovation and the development of technologies to help eradicate this invasive species, protecting both the ecosystems and economic livelihoods of the communities affected.”
Curbelo and Hastings introduced an earlier version of the FILET Act in the 114th Congress.
The version introduced on Wednesday would expand eligible grant recipients to include universities and research organizations, and it would enable the secretary of commerce to encourage collaboration among stakeholder groups with subject matter expertise.