Initial sightings and derby data from the red lionfish invasion (Pterois volitans) (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) in Barbados

Abstract Background Native to the Indo-Pacific region, the lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) has been classified as an alien invasive species which has rapidly invaded the North-western Atlantic and the Caribbean. The primary concerns regarding lionfish pertain to their broad diet, general habitat use and their potential threat on fisheries resources, native fish communities and human health. Away from natural predators, lionfish populations can easily become established and pose a serious threat to local fish species and ecosystem functioning. The first confirmed sighting of the red lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Barbados was in November 2011. Throughout 2012, fishermen and recreational divers were encouraged to report sightings of lionfish via an established hotline. Where possible, sightings were confirmed by way of the fish being captured and handed over to the Barbados Fisheries Division or the East Coast Conservation Organisation (ECCO) Inc. (an environmental NGO) for confirmation. In addition to confirmation, biological data (such as length, weight, sex and maturity) were also collected. Genetic research conducted on confirmed specimens collected between 2011-2013 identified the presence of only one species, P. volitans. Since the first confirmed sighting of the red lionfish in Barbados, it is believed that population numbers have steadily increased. One of the methods utilised in Barbados to control this alien invasive lionfish species is that of an annual derby. On 5 and 6 December 2015 and 13 November 2016, teams of divers (both free divers and SCUBA divers) took to the local waters to hunt for and kill lionfish. Caught lionfish were landed at scoring stations to be counted and allowed for the collection of basic biological data (such as length, weight, sex and maturity). In addition to biological data, teams (observers) also provided information on dive sites (locations) and associated geographic information (i.e. GPS coordinates), where available. New information These two datasets, initial sightings (2012) and derby data (2015 and 2016), present the first collected data for the red lionfish (P. volitans) in Barbados. The two datasets are occurrence datasets which document the identification of >1500 lionfish removed from the waters of Barbados between 2011 and 2016.


Introduction
Native to the Indo-Pacific region, it is believed that the aquarium trade facilitated the introduction of lionfish (Pterois volitans [Linnaeus, 1758] and Pterois miles [Bennet, 1828]) to the United States of America (USA) (Morris et al. 2009, Albins 2013. Documentation of lionfish in the wild (i.e. via escape) dates back to 1985 (Morris 2012)off Florida and marks the beginning of one of the most rapid marine finfish invasions in history throughout the North-western Atlantic and the Caribbean (Morris et al. 2009, Albins 2013. By 2002, the invasion had progressed northwards along the east coast of the USA, reaching as far as New Jersey and eastwards to Bermuda (Morris et al. 2009). By 2012, the invasion had progressed southwards from its original location with documented cases of confirmed lionfish sightings throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean (Morris 2012). Barbados was one of the last Caribbean islands to be invaded, with the first confirmed sighting in November 2011 (Oxenford and Vallès 2014). Prior to this invasion, there have been no major incidences of marine invasive species affecting Caribbean coral reefs.
The primary concerns regarding lionfish pertained to their broad diet, general habitat use and their potential threat on fisheries resources, native fish communities and human health (Morris et al. 2009, Morris 2012. Lionfish may live for decades and reach sizes exceeding 47 cm (19 in), they become sexually mature in less than a year and reproduction can occur throughout the entire year (approx. every 4 days) (Morris 2012). Lionfish inhabit all marine habitats types (e.g. seagrass beds, coral and artificial reefs) and depths (from the shoreline to over 300 m or 100 ft) (Morris 2012). Away from their natural predators and in new environments where prey initially fail to recognise them as a threat, lionfish populations could easily become established and pose a serious threat to local fish species (including commercially important species) and ecosystem functioning (Albins 2013). In addition, the possession of 18 venomous spines (Morris et al. 2009) could lead to negative socioeconomic impacts by way of envenomations of fishermen, divers and recreational beach users (Morris 2012).
In recognition of the imminent arrival of lionfish, the Biodiversity Working Group of Barbados drafted a lionfish response plan (Brathwaite et al. 2011). For the first year of the Barbados invasion, all reported sightings were recorded (i.e. Barbados lionfish sightings database) to track the invasion (Oxenford and Vallès 2014). Genetic research conducted on collected samples (2011-2013) revealed a single species lionfish invasion (i.e. P. volitans) in Barbados (Sealy et al. 2014). By 2015, the lionfish had become established and numbers had increased to levels where mitigation measures, such as derbies, were deemed appropriate. Derbies, one of the conservation measures used to control populations of lionfish, represent organised events to remove as many lionfish as possible by teams or individuals, with the added benefit of their receiving prizes for performances. Derbies also act to engage stakeholders, provide education and awareness to the public and allow for the collection of important ecological data (Morris 2012). Two national lionfish derbies were held in Barbados in 2015 and 2016, providing the opportunity for the collection of basic biological data such as length, weight, sex and maturity and thus resulted in the creation of the Barbados lionfish derby database.

Project description
Title: Tracking the red lionfish invasion in Barbados Personnel: Julian Walcott, Caroline Bissada, Hazel Oxenford Study area description: Barbados (Fig. 1) is a small Caribbean island (166 square miles), located to the east of the Caribbean island chain (Fig. 2), with a narrow insular shelf. Key marine habitats include fringing reefs (primarily along the west coast), patch reefs and a bank reef which runs parallel to shore.

Sampling methods
Sampling description: The first confirmed sighting of a lionfish in Barbados was in November 2011. Throughout 2012, persons (i.e. fishermen and recreational divers) were encouraged to report sightings of lionfish. Where possible, sightings were confirmed by way of the fish being captured and handed over to the relevant persons from the Barbados Fisheries Division (Government agency) or the East Coast Conservation Organisation (ECCO) Inc. (an environmental NGO) for confirmation. In addition to confirmation, biological data (such as length, weight, sex and maturity) were also collected. Collected data were subsequently shared with the University of the West Indies for data analysis and management.
On 5 and 6 December 2015 and 13 November 2016, teams of divers (both free divers and SCUBA divers) took to the local waters to hunt for and kill lionfish, during organised derby events. Caught lionfish were landed at a scoring station to be counted and to allow for the collection of basic biological data (such as length, weight, sex and maturity). In addition to biological data, teams (observers) also provided information on dive sites (locations) and associated geographic information (i.e. GPS coordinates), where available (unfortunately, fish collected at individual dive sites were not separated on the boat, thus making it difficult to assign locations to many of the landed fish). Collected data were subsequently shared with the University of the West Indies for data analysis and management. Description: This dataset provides information on the first year of the lionfish invasion in Barbados. The first confirmed sighting of a lionfish in Barbados was in November 2011. Throughout 2012, persons were encouraged to report sightings of lionfish. Where possible, sightings were confirmed by way of the fish being captured and handed over to the relevant persons for confirmation. In addition to confirmation, biological data (such as length, weight, sex and maturity) were also collected. This dataset provides basic information for the confirmed sightings, such as date, time, habitat and activity where possible.