Lionfish the target of spearfishing tourney
PHOTO PROVIDED
Area resident Chad Knight killed this 12.5-inch lionfish less than one mile off Cayo Costa in late April. Lionfish are a non-native species that feeds voraciously on local fish populations, and scientists say it is moving up the Florida coast. A spearfishing tournament targeting lionfish is planned Sept. 21-22 in Englewood.
STOCK PHOTO
If lionfish were paranoid, they would be right thinking everyone is out to get them.
In fact, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has declared all-out war on the spiny, invasive species, and Englewood will be the site of an upcoming battle.