The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has designated the first Saturday after Mother’s Day each year to be Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day. On this day, through education and outreach, the FWC will encourage extra effort from the public to remove lionfish from Florida waters.

Lionfish are a nonnative, invasive species that have a negative impact on Florida’s native wildlife and habitat. Consistent lionfish removal can reduce the negative impacts lionfish have on the reef community. ?

The FWC has several activities planned for the weekend of the first annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day, which is 16-17 May 2015. Divers across the state will be encouraged to see how many lionfish can be removed from Florida waters in one weekend. Divers are asked to report their catches via the Report Florida Lionfish app or online at MyFWC.com/Lionfish.

To learn more about lionfish, including upcoming derbies and how to fillet your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner, visit MyFWC.com/lionfish.