9-10/9/2023: The 3rd lionfish clearance operation was carried out in Chrissi Island (Natura 2000), within the framework of the LIONHARE project. HCMR coordinated the action in cooperation with spearfishing divers and the Fisheries Authority of the Lasithi Perfecture. During the first day, scientists of HCMR monitored and delineated the area which was cleaned during the second day. A doctor and a rescue vessel followed the mission for the safety of the participants. In total, 16 spearfishing divers participated who captured all lionfish encountered within the designated area. Following the cleaning operation, scientists performed measurements on the caught fish and took samples for laboratory analyses. HCMR scientists will continue monitoring the same designated area in the future in order to estimate the resettlement process and time, in an attempt to assess the effects of such a mitigation action in controlling the lionfish populations.
Lionfish, silver cheeked toadfish as well as other alien species populations are very abundant, dominating the coastal zone of the island. Therefore, the Monitoring Committee of Chrissi Island suggests that such mitigation actions should continue to take place even after the end of the LIONHARE project, in order to decrease and control the populations of alien species as well as conserve the local biodiversity.
