Food Retailer Now Selling Ecologically-Damaging But Delicious Lionfish

With invasive lionfish threatening Florida's saltwater ecosystems since the mid-eighties, the fast multiplying species has been called for mass removal via fishing for years by state agencies. Now, at least one major food retailer is now selling the tasty fish in its stores, in what could prove to be the start of a trend that benefits both consumers and the environment.

Whole Foods is the first of any major food retailer to offer lionfish its stores. A threat to coral reefs and other fish, lionfish have easily out-spawned all efforts to control their populations.

The species is equipped with several long, venomous spikes along its back, making it a dominant predator in the oceans. With the ability of its females to lay up to 30,000 eggs, the Florida Wildlife and Conservation Commission has placed no limits on the amount of lionfish that can be caught for sport and for food.

"Removing lionfish can help Florida's native marine species and habitats. Local control efforts have proven to be effective. Lionfish can be speared, caught in hand-held nets or caught on hook and line," says the FWC.