Lionfish Missions & Scuba Adventures in Aruba
This year’s winter dive trip to Aruba was a mission with real impact. From removing over 100 invasive lionfish to teaching ocean conservation in schools and even meeting government officials, the 2025 Lionfish Mission in Aruba was a success on every level.
Protecting Aruba’s Reefs from Invasive Lionfish
The trip began with daily lionfish hunting dives alongside some of Aruba’s top scuba operations, including Pure Dive Aruba, Aruba Fly and Dive, Palm Beach Divers, and Prestige Dive with AJ Tromp. Experienced captains like Mike Focke, AJ Tromp, and Captain Gerald led us to prime lionfish hotspots around the island.
These targeted dives focused on removing lionfish, a destructive invasive species that threatens Aruba’s native reef fish and coral ecosystems. With teamwork and precision, we removed more than 100 lionfish from Aruba’s waters, helping restore balance to the reef.
Spreading Awareness Through Education
On February 6, I had the honor of meeting with Aruba’s Governor alongside my daughter and fellow lionfish hunter, Taylor Muller. We discussed the ecological dangers posed by lionfish and the importance of community engagement in ocean conservation.
Later in the trip, we visited Kudawecha Basisschool where I taught a class of 25 fifth-grade students about lionfish and reef protection. Special thanks to Joanne Figeroa for organizing this visit. We brought a real lionfish for students to examine and handed out copies of our book, What is a Lionfish?, co-authored with Vasili Karalewich.
Media & Government Support
Raising awareness about lionfish removal efforts continued with a televised interview on Aruba TV with Lelicia Tromp. We discussed the urgent need to protect Aruba’s reefs and the role divers play in the solution.
We were also welcomed by Minister Mervin Ras Wyatt, who gave us a private tour of the Aruba Parliament. It was an incredible moment of recognition for the work being done by divers, students, and advocates alike.
Lionfish Catches & Culinary Adventures
One of the most memorable dives was with Vasili Karalewich, Divemaster Perry Megens, and Captain Gerald, where we speared 43 lionfish in a single outing. We capped off the day by docking at Zeeovers Restaurant in Savaneta, where our catch was prepared with fried bananas and fries by Chefs Ron and Jordan. Vasili even tried lionfish for the first time!
Vasili, a Master Underwater Criminal Investigator, also got his first lionfish spear on this trip. We continued making shore dives at Mangel Halto, The Hole in the Wall, and Commander Bay, removing lionfish from Aruba’s shallower coastal sites.
Training the Next Generation
This trip was also about growing the community of safe, skilled divers. I certified:
- Devin Hines – Open Water Diver (and a United Airlines pilot!)
- Kristan Almquist, Vasili Karalewich, and Taylor Muller – Advanced specialty courses including Deep Dive, Navigation, Wreck Diver, Performance Diver, and Compressor Use.
Special thanks to Palm Beach Divers for access to their compressor training setup.
Taylor Muller also played a huge role in our lionfish removal efforts, cleaning 51 lionfish across two days. She saved fins for Susan Heiter of JADS Dive Center, who turns lionfish tails into beautiful jewelry pieces.
Looking Ahead
This two-month trip to Aruba proved the power of community, conservation, and diving. From underwater hunts to classroom lessons, media interviews to government meetings, every experience contributed to a growing wave of support for lionfish control and reef protection.
Aruba’s dive community is passionate and proactive. I’m proud to stand with them in this mission and look forward to many more lionfish adventures ahead.
Roger J. Muller
Lionfish University Field Reporter, April 1st, 2025
