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Ah, the lionfish… beautiful, stealthy and always with a few (venomous) tricks up their spines. An invasive species, lionfish have been found wreaking havoc in waters where they wouldn't normally live — like off the coast of South Carolina. In fact, these marine invaders are causing so much ecological harm, they're throwing off the balance of our ocean's ecosystems. So, we've established that they're an invasive species... but exactly how? And what else makes the lionfish so unique? We’ve gathered a few interesting tidbits to help round out your knowledge of lionfish and further explain why this species has such…
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As their population grew, so did discussions on how to effectively remove them. Lionfish don’t respond to traditional fishing methods using rods and reels; they stick close to structures they inhabit and typically don’t seek out prey outside their…
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What is the JuLionfish Festival? Enjoy an all-inclusive evening at the Aquarium during the JuLionfish Festival! This 21+ event includes a lionfish filleting demo, dishes from local culinary partners, beer and wine, entertainment and more. Learn about the elusive lionfish, connect with other like-minded folks and celebrate the efforts of divers who participated in the JuLionfish Derby, a three-month-long culling competition to remove as…
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You see, lionfish have many biological benefits that make them detrimental to the health and wellbeing of other native marine…
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Lionfish are becoming a huge issue for the southern coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Native to the Pacific but not to the Atlantic, they are an invasive species: a non-native species that has invaded an area and may have long-term and seriously adverse effects on native species and their habitats. Lionfish are non-selective, voracious eaters. They consume a wide-variety of fish and crustaceans, often feeding on over-fished and endangered populations. Additionally, they have very few natural predators and minimal competition because they are non-indigenous to the Atlantic. With no real…
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Members of the Watershed Society, the Aquarium’s top donor circle, were invited to a special Seaside Salon educational event, titled “Lionfish: An Invasive Delicacy.” A benefit of the Watershed Society, this event aimed to expose guests to a greater conservation issue that affects the Lowcountry and beyond – the growing lionfish populations up and down most of the eastern coastline. Guests had the opportunity to learn the basics about the origins of lionfish species, but more importantly, of their severe impact in the Atlantic – an area that they are not native to, but are quickly overpopulating. Aquarist Sally Behrend,…
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Served with Braised Purple Cabbage, Local Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes and Pan Au Jus 6 oz Lionfish filet 1 Yukon Gold potato, peeled and thinly sliced 1 sm. pkg. Mixed heirloom tomatoes Preparation Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Salt and pepper the lionfish filet and then shingle sliced potatoes to cover the entire filet. Next, pan sear potatoes in a saut? pan just long enough to get a crust to form, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Flip the fish over and place in the preheated oven to finish cooking (this should take roughly 7-8 minutes, depending on the size of…
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Whether you’re a locally grown small business or a national corporation…
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Reef Research celebrates the importance of marine protected areas (MPAs) for scientific discovery and for sustaining a balanced ocean. In partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), we led a research project at designated MPAs, Areas 51 and 53, made of artificial reefs – the first of their kind in the nation. In the pilot project, we studied the effects of removing lionfish from the MPAs…
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No matter where you reside, you are tied to the ocean. She is the connective thread between countries, communities and cultures around the globe. She is equal parts calm and wild, shallow and cavernous, tough and fragile. She offers sanctuary for creatures big and small, sustaining life both above and below the surface. She serves as the fluid bridge between the economy and the environment. Without the ocean, our world as we know it would cease to exist. Humankind depends on a healthy ocean, and accountability starts with us. To honor National Ocean Month this June, join us in…
