Invasive Lionfish Tracker Specialty

Lionfish course: min age 18!!

Lionfish may be beautiful, but they are a serious threat to the Caribbean reef ecosystem. Originally from the Pacific Ocean, Lionfish have no natural predators in the Atlantic and Caribbean, and their population is growing rapidly. This specialty course teaches you how to safely and effectively help control their spread.

During a short classroom session and two open water dives, you will learn everything you need to know about Lionfish behavior, safe handling, and removal methods. This includes how to use the ELF (Eradicate Lionfish) tool and containment devices like the Zookeeper™, all within recreational dive limits.

You will also practice the Spotter and Hunter method, learn how to approach Lionfish without harming the surrounding reef, and how to avoid being stung. Your instructor will guide you through safe capture techniques and proper procedures for humane removal.

What You Will Learn

• How to identify and locate Lionfish
• Safe and humane removal techniques
• Use of tools like the ELF spear and Zookeeper™
• Spotter and Hunter team strategy
• How to avoid contact with sensitive marine life while hunting
• Safety procedures for handling venomous spines

Course Format

• Brief classroom session and workshop on land
• Two training dives to apply what you’ve learned underwater

Medical Information

For safety reasons, please make sure you take a look at this Medical Statement to ensure that you are fit to dive. If you answer “yes” to any of the questions, you will have to bring a signed medical statement from a doctor prior to in-water training.

NOTE: Please make sure when you want to join this course, you have done your orientation dive on our house reef first. It can be done with one of our instructors or you can do this dive with your buddy.

To join this specialty, you need to be at least an Open Water Diver. We strongly recommended to have Advanced Open Water Diver certification, as Lionfish are now often found deeper than 18 meters or 60 feet.