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Lionfish Hunting

Removing an Invasive Species

Lionfish Hunting “Kill and Cook” Package with Utila Lodge

Lionfish are native to the Pacific Ocean. In 1992, humans introduced them to the Atlantic after they were released from fish tanks off the coast of Florida. Since then, their population has exploded throughout the Caribbean and along the eastern sea board of the United States. With no natural predators and with their ability to spawn once every 4 days their population growth has gone largely unchecked. They reached the Bay Islands in 2008 and since then it has been a battle to protect our reef and it’s natural inhabitants against this invasive species.

Research suggests that to maintain current Lionfish population densities, 27% of adult Lionfish must be culled every month. This is where you come in as you join us in our fight to remove them from our reefs.

During your stay with us, you will go through a Lionfish Workshop with marine biologists at the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center. At the conclusion of the course, you’ll be issued an official Honduran Lionfish Hunting License and Hawaiian Sling from the Bay Islands Conservation Association. Then you’re ready to hunt! After the hunts, be ready to have one of the freshest and most satisfying meals you’ve ever had in your life.

 

Ideal Itinerary for the Week

  •  Saturday
    • 4:00 pm – Welcome to Utila! We’ll have someone waiting for you at the airport to take you and your luggage to the Lodge.
    • 5:00 pm – After settling down in your rooms, enjoy your Welcome Cocktail and your first Utila Sunset as we get you oriented to your stay on the island.
    • 6:30 pm – Enjoy the first of many great meals with us and unwind from the long day of traveling.
  • Sunday
    • 6:30 – 7:30 am – Enjoy the Honduran Coffee brought right to your room, if you so please, and your first Breakfast with us.
    • 8:00 am – 12:00 pm – Time to hit the water and head out on your first 2 dives of the trip!
    • 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Come back for lunch and a little afternoon relaxation.
    • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Enjoy your third dive of the day.
    • 6:00 pm – Dinner.
  • Monday
    • 6:30 – 7:30 am – Coffee and breakfast.
    • 8:00 am – 12:00 pm – 2 morning dives.
    • 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Lunch.
    • 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm – The Lionfish Workshop with the Director of the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center. You’ll start in the classroom where they’ll teach you all about lionfish and the conservation efforts surrounding this invasive species. After the classroom session, you’ll hop in the pool where proper Hawaiian Sling technique is taught and demonstrated. This is where you’ll take your first practice shots at some invasive potatoes and onions! Afterwards you will be issued a Honduran Lionfish Hunting License from the Bay Islands Conservation Association and your very own Hawaiian Sling.
    • 4:30 pm – Afternoon snack.
    • 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm – Your first of 2 night dives.
    • 7:30pm – Dinner.
  • Tuesday
    • 6:30 – 7:30 am – Coffee and breakfast.
    • 8:00 am – 12:00 pm – 2 morning dives.
    • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – Lunch.
    • 1:30 – 3:30 pm – Afternoon Dive.
    • 6:00 pm – Dinner.
  • Wednesday
    • 6:00am – 7:00 am – Coffee and breakfast.
    • 7:00 am – 11:30 pm – Today’s the day! Head out early for your first two lionfish hunting dives. We’ll be taking you to one of Utila’s rarely dived Sea Mounds. While Lionfish numbers are depleted at the most dived sites on the island, this is where you’ll find them in greater numbers. It is here that you’ll (hopefully) make your first kills. You will be led by marine biologists from the Whale Shark & Oceanic Research Center (WSORC) throughout the two drift dives.
    • 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm – Lunch.
    • 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm – Lionfish Dissection Lab: If you’re interested, you can work with each other and members of WSORC on how to properly dissect and filet the lionfish. Here you’ll learn about the data they collect and get a look at their stomach contents to determine what’s been in their diet.
    • 4:00 PM – Afternoon Snack.
    • 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm – Your second night dive.
    • 7:30pm – Lionfish Dinner! You’ll be eating an especially fresh dish featuring the Lionfish that you yourself killed earlier that day.
  • Thursday
    • 6:30 – 7:30 am – Coffee and breakfast.
    • 8:00 am – 12:00 pm – 2 morning dives. Bring your spears!
    • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – Lunch.
    • 1:30 – 3:30 pm – Afternoon Dive. Bring your spears!
    • 6:00 pm – Dinner.
  • Friday
    • 6:00am – 7:00 am – Coffee and breakfast.
    • 7:00 am – 11:30 pm – Your last two dives of the trip will be on another one Utila’s rarely dived Sea Mounds for two more lionfish hunt drift dives. Again, you will be led by marine biologists from the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center on your dives.
    • 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm – Lunch.
    • 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm – You can choose to relax, dissect more lionfish, or do another one of Utila’s fun non-diving activities. Enjoy yourself!
    • 6:00 pm – Another Lionfish dinner made from the lionfish you killed earlier that day.
  • Saturday
    • 6:30 am – Breakfast and Coffee.
    • 7:00 am – Departure Flight – we’ll miss you!

Lionfish Hunting "Kill and Cook" Package

19% Honduran Tax Included
$1750/person
  • Must be booked in groups of 4 or more
  • Must be at least a Rescue Diver to book
  • Rate based on double occupancy
  • Itinerary subject to change due to weather and other factors