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Pictures: Sharks Taught to Hunt Alien Lionfish
.nationalgeographic ^ | April 4, 2011 | Brian Handwerk

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."


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Science
KEYWORDS: lionfish
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Lionfish: Rats of the Sea?

Shark's Lionfish Lunch

Lionfish Nom


1 posted on 04/07/2011 1:12:27 PM PDT by JoeProBono
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To: JoeProBono

lionfish are poisonous, no? Why aren’t the sharks affected?


2 posted on 04/07/2011 1:15:22 PM PDT by babble-on
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To: JoeProBono
That's not awesome.

This is Awesome.

3 posted on 04/07/2011 1:16:49 PM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: JoeProBono

“If it bleeds, we can kill it.”


4 posted on 04/07/2011 1:18:00 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy
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To: JoeProBono

“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


5 posted on 04/07/2011 1:20:49 PM PDT by Anitius Severinus Boethius
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To: JoeProBono

call me the sharks are taught to hunt illegal aliens...


6 posted on 04/07/2011 1:21:53 PM PDT by NativeSon
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To: babble-on
"lionfish are poisonous, no? Why aren’t the sharks affected?"

"Even though lionfish are venomous, lionfish are not immune to being harassed or even eaten by other fish. Large eels, frogfish and other scorpion fish are all predators of lionfish in the wild."

I think that as the lionfish are an invasive species, the sharks just don't recognize them as a food source.

7 posted on 04/07/2011 1:23:45 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: babble-on

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.


8 posted on 04/07/2011 1:24:46 PM PDT by 240B (he is doing everything he said he wouldn't and not doing what he said he would)
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To: Joe 6-pack; babble-on
Yeah, and besides which it takes a lot to kill a shark.


9 posted on 04/07/2011 1:30:52 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet - Visualize)
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To: 240B

cooking definitely affects sharks - makes ‘em taste a lot better :)


10 posted on 04/07/2011 1:31:51 PM PDT by jurroppi1
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To: martin_fierro

What is that?!


11 posted on 04/07/2011 1:34:51 PM PDT by diamond6 (Check out: http://www.biblechristiansociety.com/home.php and learn about the faith.)
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To: NativeSon
call me the sharks are taught to hunt illegal aliens...

Sharks already know how to hunt illegal aliens. The hard part is getting the illegal aliens into the water.

12 posted on 04/07/2011 1:36:05 PM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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Comment #13 Removed by Moderator

To: diamond6
Why, it's a frickin' shark with a frickin' laser beam.
14 posted on 04/07/2011 1:42:57 PM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: diamond6

THAT is a shark with a frickin laser on its head.


15 posted on 04/07/2011 1:44:37 PM PDT by RoadGumby (For God so loved the world)
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To: Borax Queen; Darksheare; derllak

I really prefer rattlers and furry marmots...........


16 posted on 04/07/2011 1:45:34 PM PDT by Lakeshark (Thank a member of the US armed forces for their sacrifice)
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To: jurroppi1

HeHe

Ambiguous defined.

I think the standard appropriate response is, (indignant) “You knew what I meant!” With an optional “Harumph”.


17 posted on 04/07/2011 1:48:17 PM PDT by 240B (he is doing everything he said he wouldn't and not doing what he said he would)
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To: diamond6
It's a shark with a frickin' laser beam attached to its head! It's from the Austin Powers movies:

Scene from first movie that introduces the idea
Scene from third movie where we finally get to see them (which is what the picture in post #3 is from)
18 posted on 04/07/2011 1:48:45 PM PDT by verum ago (Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!)
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To: driftdiver

Tell them it is the Rio Grande?


19 posted on 04/07/2011 1:51:47 PM PDT by Delta Dawn (The whole truth.)
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To: martin_fierro

Sea Bass


20 posted on 04/07/2011 1:52:45 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet - Visualize)
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