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Latest weapon against lionfish invasion? Meet the Roomba of the sea.
The Christian Science Monitor ^
| October 22, 2019
| Chris Iovenko
Posted on 10/22/2019 9:07:10 AM PDT by Jagermonster
Why We Wrote This
How to counter invasive species, a common, and often intractable, problem? One entrepreneurs clever approach offers lessons in finding solutions in the unlikeliest of places.
If you cant beat them, eat them. That is the common wisdom of many scientists, conservationists, and fishermen who dream of ridding the western Atlantic of invasive lionfish, a stunning aquarium fish that, when introduced in the wild, dominates and destroys reef ecosystems. However, catching lionfish has never been simple; they are not easily targeted by line or net fishing. Now, a surprising new invention may bring lionfish hunting to the masses and help clear the seas of this invader: a submersible robot.
With its striking stripes, diaphanous fins, and mane of colorful but poisonous spines, the exotic Indo-Pacific lionfish makes for a popular aquarium fish. But when released into the Atlantic in the 1980s (presumably by aquarium aficionados who tired of the voracious pet), the fish thrived and became a menace to native fish species and the reefs they rely upon. Lionfish populations first exploded off Floridas coast; now, lionfish have expanded their range throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean all the way down to South America.
[ * * * ] Reef Roomba to the rescue
[ * * * ] The Guardian is a 20-pound submersible remotely operated vehicle equipped with cameras and lights and two paddles that can deliver a 20-volt shock to a lionfish. In a boat above, a human driver with a laptop guides the Guardian toward lionfish, and can push a button that activates the paddles to stun the fish. Once stunned, they are vacuumed into a water-filled storage chamber that can hold up to 20 fish. When the chamber is
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: bahamas; caribbean; chat; fisheries; florida; lionfish; marinebiology; oceanography; robot; roomba; southamerica
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Fish-slurping robots from the Florida coast! On the late night sci-fi horror special!
To: Jagermonster
2
posted on
10/22/2019 9:10:37 AM PDT
by
Jagermonster
("God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16, NKJV.)
To: Jagermonster
What about Sea Bears?
Just remember, it can't be an oval, it has to be a circle!
3
posted on
10/22/2019 9:11:05 AM PDT
by
dfwgator
(Endut! Hoch Hech!)
To: Jagermonster
"There are several invasive species around the world that we think robots could help with like pythons in Florida or the urchins in California but we might not always be underwater."
Uh oh...
4
posted on
10/22/2019 9:13:02 AM PDT
by
null and void
(Convicted spies are shot, traitors are hanged, saboteurs are subject to summary execution...)
To: dfwgator
Sharks with laser beams would work better.
5
posted on
10/22/2019 9:14:04 AM PDT
by
headstamp 2
(There's a stairway to heaven, but there's a highway to hell.)
To: dfwgator
They are training football teams to perform underwater, in preparation for global warming?
6
posted on
10/22/2019 9:16:53 AM PDT
by
Eleutheria5
(If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.)
To: Eleutheria5
They are training football teams to perform underwater, in preparation for global warming?
The Detroit Lionfishes?
7
posted on
10/22/2019 9:17:53 AM PDT
by
dfwgator
(Endut! Hoch Hech!)
To: dfwgator
vs. the Chicago Sea Bears.
8
posted on
10/22/2019 9:18:28 AM PDT
by
Eleutheria5
(If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.)
To: Jagermonster
I LOVE THIS STUFF. I JUST LOVE IT!
Smart tech makes me glad to be a human being.
9
posted on
10/22/2019 9:18:49 AM PDT
by
Mrs. Don-o
(Praise God from Whom all blessings flow/ Praise Him ye creatures here below.)
To: Jagermonster
10
posted on
10/22/2019 9:19:14 AM PDT
by
Jagermonster
("God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16, NKJV.)
To: Jagermonster
The tropical fish hobbyists who get tired of their fish could just eat them instead of dumping them, and save everyone the trouble.
11
posted on
10/22/2019 9:20:27 AM PDT
by
Eleutheria5
(If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.)
To: Jagermonster
Lionfish populations first exploded off Floridas coast
For some reason, every invasive species seems to have gotten into the US through Florida. Lionfish, Burmese pythons, African rock pythons, snakeheads, Nile monitor lizards...
To: Jagermonster
(presumably by aquarium aficionados who tired of the voracious pet),
Same for piranha in the everglades, and African snakes released into the wild.
To: AnotherUnixGeek
Probably because Florida is the most tropical area in the U.S. Warm-weather critters can make a go if it there.
14
posted on
10/22/2019 9:26:15 AM PDT
by
Jagermonster
("God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16, NKJV.)
To: dfwgator
And don't tempt fate.
15
posted on
10/22/2019 9:29:58 AM PDT
by
DoodleBob
(Gravity's waiting period is about 9.8 m/s^2)
To: Jagermonster
16
posted on
10/22/2019 9:33:38 AM PDT
by
robel
To: Jagermonster
Anyone know if there is a bounty available on lion fish? Might actually be a business opportunity there if so....
17
posted on
10/22/2019 9:34:40 AM PDT
by
reed13k
(For evil to triumph it is only necessary that good men do nothing)
To: Jagermonster
18
posted on
10/22/2019 9:34:57 AM PDT
by
NFHale
(The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
To: Jagermonster
Just use depth charges...
To: Jagermonster
Had some in Roatan this summer. Delicious fried or grilled, or even in ceviche!
20
posted on
10/22/2019 9:42:48 AM PDT
by
jagusafr
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