Invasion

Invasion Description

1st Record: Benwood Ledge off Key Largo/FL/Atlantic Ocean (1/2009, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Programs 2009);

The number of reports in the Florida Keys increased from 4-5 in 2009 to ~500 in 2011. Lionfish sightings increased from ~1% of coral reef surveys to 20-30% of surveys (Ruttenberg et al. 2012).

Geographic Extent

Benwood Ledge off of Key Largo/FL/Atlantic Ocean (1/2009, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2009); Wellwood Restoration Site, Molasses Reef, Key Largo/FL/Atlantic Ocean (3/30/2009; USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2009); on the wreck Northern Light [E of Key Largo]/FL/Atlantic Ocean (4/30/2009, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2009); W of Loggerhead Key at Great Every Time dive site, Dry Tortugas/FL/Gulf of Mexico (9/11/09, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2009); 120 mi WNW of Key West/FL/Gulf of Mexico (7/2010, Schofield et al. 2010, 24.88743 -83.66205)