Mote fights invasive lionfish

Six teams of 19 divers caught 429 invasive lionfish from the Gulf of Mexico during the third annual Sarasota Lionfish Derby from July 8 to 10.

The third annual event ended with a scoring and awards ceremony July 10, at Mote Marine Aquarium. More than 300 people attended the event.

Local chefs Steve Phelps, of Indigenous, Gerard Jesse, of Seafood Shack, Paul Mattison, of Mattison’s, and Erik Walker, of Chiles Restaurant Group, served food made with lionfish.

By the Numbers:

Most Lionfish: Team We Be Dreamin’, 349 lionfish

Largest Lionfish: Team We Be Dreamin’, 385 mm

Smallest Lionfish: Team ZooKeeper, 112 mm