Lionfish is essentially THE most sustainable fish you could buy and eat here. Lionfish is an invasive species in the Caribbean and Atlantic ocean, and they have taken over the entire ecosystem. They do not have any natural predators, and have been reproducing uncontrollably while eating up many other species of fish. And they eat, A LOT.
The state of Florida has set no limit on the number of lionfish that may be taken, and you don’t even need a fishing license. Since 2010, the Florida Keys Natural Marine Sanctuary does give out licenses to divers to kill lionfish inside the property. The REEF organization hosts a series of lionfish Derbies with prizes awarded for spearing lionfish, and they’ve even published a cookbook. Many other locations in the Caribbean are also encouraging divers to come spear their lionfish in an attempt to control the populations. If there is one species that all conservationists encourage you to kill, it’s this one.
I hope this spreads out to supermarkets all around the east coast! Sadly, lionfish have already been found all along these coastal waters as well, even all the way up to Massachusetts.
The Carving Witch 