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SEEN AROUND TOWN
UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
A NICE BITE
Record lionfish caught during derby
R
EEF’s 10th annual Lionfish Derby not only brought crowds and local visitors, but it also took a nice bite out of the invasive species. Nine teams competed Sept. 14-15 to catch a record 1,263 lionfish. The derby’s purpose is to eradicate as many lionfish as possible and to showcase how to prepare the fish. The goal is to encourage people and restaurants to serve the fish to help get it out of our waters. The species is highly invasive and destroys coral reefs by outcompeting native species for resources and/or eating all the small benthic fish. — Weekly staff report
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TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly
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1. Forever Young took home both the coveted prize for most lionfish and most lionfish in the series. 2. Team Florida Man celebrates their 2nd place finish for the series most lionfish. 3. REEF's Dr. Alli Candelmo and Tyler Mahler of Team Sharkbait pose with Mahler's Bronze finish for the series most lionfish prize. 4. The team from REEF poses after a successful derby. 5. Bryan Leffler, 8, and Bodie Billips, 6, experiment with a dissected lionfish head to see how sharp its teeth are.
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