First records of the red lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Martinique, French West Indies: monitoring invasion status through visual surveys
| Type | Article | ||||||||
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| Date | 2015 | ||||||||
| Language | English | ||||||||
| Author(s) | Trégarot Ewan1, Fumaroli Marine1, Arqué Alexandre1, Helli Claire2, Maréchal Jean-Philippe1, 3, 4 | ||||||||
| Affiliation(s) | 1 : Observatoire du Milieu Marin Martiniquais, 14 rue Chéry-Rosette, Fond Lahaye, 97233 Schoelcher, Martinique, FWI, France 2 : LEMAR, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Technopôle Brest Iroise – rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280 Plouzané, France 3 : School of Biological Sciences, King Henry Building, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DY, UK 4 : Nova Blue Environment, 14 rue Chéry-Rosette, Fond Lahaye, 97233 Schoelcher, Martinique, FWI, France |
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| Source | Marine Biodiversity Records (1755-2672) (Cambridge University Press (CUP)), 2015 , Vol. 8 , N. e1 , P. 7p. | ||||||||
| DOI | 10.1017/S1755267214001341 | ||||||||
| Keyword(s) | invasive species, Pterois volitans, Pterois miles, Martinique, Lesser Antilles, marine invasion | ||||||||
| Abstract | The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) was first recorded in Martinique on 1 February 2011. Three years later, despite control measures to prevent the increase of lionfish population densities, the species is now well established. Maximum density has reached 1320 individuals ha−1 in some locations and the maximum fish size of 41 cm total length has been observed. A monitoring program was initiated by the Marine Institute of Martinique (OMMM) in 2011 to monitor the invasion and adjust local control efforts. Our results highlight how fast lionfish have been able to invade new littoral areas, especially hard bottom habitats. It took two years for them to completely colonize the west coast of Martinique, despite increasing capture efforts. It is expected that small-scale fisheries would target lionfish. Coastal ecosystems are clearly being subjected to a new threat, which may negatively affect local biodiversity. |
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