Page 9 - Q01-2021 Fins Magazine
P. 9
by Rachel Smadja
lions invade the deep
The shores of the eastern Sea (Lessepsian migration). It is
Mediterranean Sea can now also present along the entire
unquestionably be crowned as the US East coast from Florida to New
most invasive marine environment in England, east to Bermuda and south
the world. The continuous passage of throughout the Caribbean, where it
hundreds of marine species through is regarded as an invasive species.
the Suez Canal fills the Mediterranean Lionfish are usually found in areas
reef landscapes with tropical species. with crevices or lagoons, often on the
outer slopes of coral reefs. Natural
One of these invasive species is the predators of the lionfish include
lionfish; an impressive and dominant moray eels and, reef sharks and some
fish, which is familiar to most of species of groupers.
us from an occasional visit to the
aquarium. As a predatory reef fish, One of the organizations watching
they eat native fish. This results in the spread of the lionfish is the Israeli
reduction of native populations and Nature and Parks authorities. Since
have negative effects on the overall the lionfish were first spotted in
reef habitat and health. Israeli coastline at the end of 2013,
the authorities began to monitor its
The Devil LionFish is a species of population and collect reports from
ray-finned fish native to the western various sources, mainly submarines,
Indo-Pacific region. The scientific in order to monitor its spread along
name is ‘Pterois miles.’ Greek the shores.
‘pteron’ meaning ‘wing’ and Latin
‘miles’ meaning ‘soldier.’ Lionfish At first observations the lionfish was
possess venomous spines capable concentrated in a limited area near
of deterring predators and inflicting the Achziv Reserve, at a distance of
mild to severe stings and reactions to about one kilometer from the coast
humans. and depth of 15 to 27 meters.
The establishment of the lionfish In 2015, lionfish were reported over 34
in the Mediterranean sea probably kilometers away from there, in Haifa
began in 2012, when the “invasion” Bay and in the center of Israel shores,
was reported in Lebanon and Cyprus at a considerable distance from the
at the same time. Since then the coast and at a depth of about 30
impressive fish is slowly becoming meters.
one of the permanent species in the
Mediterranean reefs. It has many Most of the observations are in the
observations on the shores of the rocky habitats or artificial reefs in the
Levant and several observations in north of Israel, at a depth of more
the center of the Mediterranean sea. than 20 meters and hundreds of
meters from the shoreline.
The Devil Lionfish is the most
common lionfish species and a Today, about seven years since it
native to the Indian Ocean and began to establish itself over coasts,
Red Sea all the way to South Africa, the reports of the lionfish have come
and Indonesia. It has recently been from all over the Mediterranean
reported that the lionfish was coastline. It seems with it predatory
spotted in the eastern and central nature, the glorious lionfish is here to
Mediterranean Sea, near Cyprus, in stay.
Malta north up to Izmir in the Aegean
RACHEL SMADJA | @MERMAID.RACHEL89
Rachel is a full time professional mermaid from Israel, Founder of the Israel
mermaid competition team and Fins Magazine Correspondent. She is one
of the most highly regarded mermaids in Israel, frequently featured in the
8 press and knowledgeable on environmental issues. 9
