Plastic bag cash donated to lionfish cull

| 26/02/2014

(CNS): A local supermarket has handed over a cheque for $20,000 to a local group of divers, snorkelers, fishermen and other water and food enthusiasts who are working on the continued battle to cull lionfish in local waters. To control this marine pest, conservation groups are encouraging fishermen and divers to catch lionfish and eat them. Foster’s Food Fair has teamed up with CULL as the group is called and for the second year has handed over the money collected from the sale of plastic shopping bags to help the marine environment.

Foster’s had committed to the public that all funds collected for the sale of plastic bags when it introduce the five cent price tag would go back to the community. The money will be used to support the CULL Tournaments throughout the year with the first tournament this weekend. Known as the CULL #10 March Madness, registration begins tomorrow, February 27 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Stingers. Cash prizes provided by Foster’s Food Fair will be awarded for:

Most Lionfish
Biggest Lionfish
Overall Weight
Smallest Lionfish

The public is encouraged to attend the weigh-ins at Public Beach at 4:00pm and 6:00pm on Saturday and Sunday where there will be free lionfish samples and plenty of enthusiasts to share their knowledge of lionfish and how you can get involved in reducing their numbers and their negative impact on the local reefs..

Originally from the Pacific Ocean and popular as aquarium fish, lionfish are colorful with venomous spikey tentacles. First spotted in Florida waters in 1985, the population of the voracious predator has exploded in recent years and spread throughout the Caribbean.

Lionfish arrived in Cayman waters about four years ago and they continue to multiply and threaten smaller reef fish. Lionfish might be colorful and even beautiful but they have venomous spines along the top and bottom. They are incredibly adaptive and reproduce at a significant rate. Competing for more effectively for resources than other fish they are in danger of squeezing out native reef species.
 

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Well done Fosters and thank you for keeping your promise!

    Now – $ 20,000 = 400,000 plastic bags.

    People – is this really necessary in this day and age?!?! Come on, bring your reusable bags, even if you forget them in your car, you can steel wheel your groceries up to your car trunk and load them there into your bags. NO need to buy new plastic!

     

  2. Anonymous says:

    I really like fosters i believe they are in business for the next generation unlike the other retailers that overcharge because they only live once and must take as much as they can

    Fosters has overcome the biggest problem in Cayman IMO 

    Cayman suffers from the I only have one life problem. Unlike in the states the retailers go on forever and only need to mark things up a little, understand? 

    that said, that one large retailer should be ashamed of the home he built in south sound off of the backs of all citizens in cayman. It wasn't due to business savy. Just Greed

  3. Anonymous says:

    What are the other 2 supermarket chains doing with their $$$?  And the several liquour stores which are now charging for plastic?  Well done, Fosters – as their slogan says – At Fosters Food Fare, We Care!

  4. brit says:

    fantastic great job Fosters

  5. Right ya so says:

    Thank you Fosters!

  6. Anonymous says:

    Well done, Fosters.