Lion fish contest helps in goal to clear reefs

(CNS): The #11 Rackam and Stack’em tournament the second lionfish hunt organized this year by CULL (Cayman United Lionfish League) saw 594 lionfish removed from the reefs which combined to a total weight of over 230lbs. Encouraging spearing enthusiasts to compete is one of a number of ways people are helping rid Cayman’s fragile reefs of the invasive pests and protect the underwater ecosystem. Rackams provided the headquarters for this tournament in which 40 people competed in 12 teams on Saturday and Sunday 10 and 11 May.  The chefs at Rackams cooked up some 75lbs of the fish, showing off its versatility, to encourage more consumption.

The winners of the contest were: 
Scuba Divers:
Most Lionfish:  1st Place – Ambassador Divers – 128  – 2nd Place – Hungry Snapper – 90
Biggest Lionfish: 1st Place – Angry Salmon – 304mm  – 2nd Place – Troublemaker – 295mm
Overall Weight : 1st Place – Ambassador Divers – 29.9kg  – 2nd Place –Troublemaker – 18.5kg
Smallest Lionfish:  1st Place – Ambassador Divers – 49mm  – 2nd Place – Whole New World – 55mm
Free Divers:
Most Lionfish:  1st Place – Green Water – 114  – 2nd Place – Las Tortugas – 52
Biggest Lionfish: 1st Place –Las Tortugas – 290mm  – 2nd Place –Las Tortugas – 265mm
Overall Weight: 1st Place –Las Tortugas – 12.1kg  – 2nd Place – Green Water – 8.1kg
Smallest Lionfish:  1st Place – Green Water – 41mm  – 2nd Place – Green Water – 28mm
Las Tortugas also won a free cell phone for clearing the most line off the reef – an amazing 2.1kg worth.
Sponsors for the tournament include Foster’s Food Fair, Rackams, Ambassador Divers, Digicel, Tansy Maki, Vibe 98.9, Spin 94.9, DoE and Cayman Islands Tourism Association