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Lionfish - the new Bahamian culinary craze PDF Print E-mail
Written by BIS   
Sunday, 26 July 2009 11:28

Lionfish meat is good food, as Bahamians learned during a Fisheries Department demonstration at Potter’s Cay.NASSAU,  Bahamas -- Lionfish meat is fast becoming the new culinary craze of Bahamian delicacies. “People are opening up to eating lionfish and are realizing that they are not a health threat,” said Lakeshia Anderson, Assistant Fisheries Officer at the Department of Fisheries. “Once you cook it, the venom is not longer present.”

Last Friday, the Department of Fisheries took the lionfish show to Potter’s Cay where fishermen and food vendors were shown safety measures on how to handle, clean and cook lionfish. But it was the taste test Bahamians were anticipating. They compared lionfish meat to hogfish, grouper and even snapper.

As part of its National Lionfish Response Plan, the Department of Fisheries is encouraging the commercialization lionfish as a means of controlling the population of those voracious predators. Already the August Moon Cafe in Lyford Cay and the Shogun Revolver on East Bay Street have lionfish meat on their menu.

The Fisheries Department insists that although lionfish are venomous, they are not poisonous. “There is a big difference,” said Fisheries Officer, Ms Anderson. “If you ingest the meat and get sick from it, that’s poisonous. But, if they are venomous, you can only be affected if (the venom) is directed into your bloodstream by a prick of the venomous spine.”



Some compared lionfish meat to grouper. Already it is on the menu of restaurants. A prick from lionfish spines automatically produces intense pain and swelling around the wound. The application of hot water for about 20 minutes can bring some relief, said Ms Anderson. But affected persons should seek medical attention. Although lionfish venom is not fatal, it could cause paralysis or even heart complications, if one has pre-existing conditions, Ms Anderson warned.

“But, once you know how to handle lionfish, it’s very safe,” she added.

All methods are being employed to catch lionfish. They can be found in all marine habitats, but seem to be concentrated more around artificial structures. They can be seen lazing around Nassau harbor. Game fishermen have declared all out war on lionfish. Recently an18-boat tournament captured about 800 lionfish just around New Providence.

With much care in preparation, lionfish meat is edible.The Bahamas National Trust and the Department of Fisheries have taken their ‘eat lionfish meat’ campaign also to Abaco, Grand Bahama and Bimini. “Support and awareness are increasing,” said Ms Anderson.

Photo 1: Lionfish meat is good food, as Bahamians learned during a Fisheries Department demonstration at Potter’s Cay. (BIS photo/Letisha Henerson)

Photo 2: Some compared lionfish meat to grouper. Already it is on the menu of restaurants. (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)

The Department of Fisheries’ demonstration on preparation of lionfish meat, July 24, was well received.Photo 3: With much care in preparation, lionfish meat is edible. (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)

Photo 4: The Department of Fisheries’ demonstration on preparation of lionfish meat, July 24, was well received. (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)