b'Organized hunts in different regions are also becoming a growing trend. The idea being that a group of enthusiasts hire chartered boats and try to catch the highest amount of fish over a set time limit for a cash prize. For the past five years, Muller co-sponsored the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Derby off the west coast of Florida, in whats becomeknown as the largest lionfish derby to date. Over the course of one weekend, $48,000 in cash prizes were given out to participatingdivers with first prize going to a team that caught 2,241 lionfish. They removed 19,167 lionfish altogether, which is amazing since you need to spear one fish at a time, says Muller. Out of all the places I have hunted lionfish, the Destin-Pensacola, Gulf Coast area is the worst. Divers in the Emerald Coast Open had the biggest effect ever on lionfish in the Gulf.There are now informal discussions to have Lionfish Derbies in more locationsand further afield. Turkey has been mentioned as apotential future site, as have other Caribbean islands. And morecategories too, with prizes for the biggest lionfish caught, the smallest or the most caught in the shortest amount of time. The possibilities are seemingly endless, as long as the willpower and sponsors are there. As it stands, a growing numberof people have their eye on the ultimate goal: eliminating an ever increasing lionfish threat. Every lionfish caught can prevent the loss of up to 5,000 native fish per year, claims Gittings. And studies have shown at a local scale, it is absolutely possible to remove enough lionfish to prevent significant impact to that ecosystem. Thats why we encourage regular culling, and its why we are hoping to come up with ways to remove enough deep water lionfish to prevent impact in those environments.Aside from preserving natural environments, catching a lot of lionfishhas another benefit: they happen to be delicious fish to eat. As theLionfish University website prominently proclaims, If you cant beat em, eat em! And everyone who has ever tasted them seems to have their8 Ryan Hope from Idaho enjoying his first Lionfish lunchin Roatan, Honduras,thanks to Roger!'