Posted on 04/07/2011 1:12:22 PM PDT by JoeProBono
Seemingly striking a blow for ecological balance, a Caribbean reef shark chomps on an invasive lionfish in the clear waters of Roatan Marine Park off the coast of Honduras.
Working with park officials, local divers are attempting to give sharks a taste for the alien reef species, which are native to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. With no natural predators, lionfish populations have exploded throughout the waters of the Caribbean and U.S. Southeast since their accidental introduction by aquarium hobbyists a decade ago.
In Honduras "local dive masters familiar with the sharks decided to try to turn them on to eating invasive lionfish," said photographer Antonio Busiello, who recently snapped images of the efforts during three months of diving on the site.
"If these predators start to see lionfish as prey, eventually, in time the lionfish may be kept under control as a part of the ecosystem. That was the idea."
Lionfish: Rats of the Sea?
Shark's Lionfish Lunch
Lionfish Nom
lionfish are poisonous, no? Why aren’t the sharks affected?
This is Awesome.
“If it bleeds, we can kill it.”
“This is exactly what those environmentalists should be spending their time on: Finding ways to use nature against other forms of nature that are inconvenient to man. “ - Hank Hill
call me the sharks are taught to hunt illegal aliens...
I think that as the lionfish are an invasive species, the sharks just don't recognize them as a food source.
Lionfish are poisonous but not fatal.
People can eat lionfish, however they have to be cooked. Cooking disables the poison for humans. And, (I’m guessing) it probably does not effect sharks at all.
cooking definitely affects sharks - makes ‘em taste a lot better :)
What is that?!
Sharks already know how to hunt illegal aliens. The hard part is getting the illegal aliens into the water.
THAT is a shark with a frickin laser on its head.
I really prefer rattlers and furry marmots...........
HeHe
Ambiguous defined.
I think the standard appropriate response is, (indignant) “You knew what I meant!” With an optional “Harumph”.
Tell them it is the Rio Grande?
Sea Bass
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