Nutritional properties of the invasive lionfish: A delicious and nutritious approach for controlling the invasion

Authors

James A. Morris, Jr.
Amber Thomas
Andrew L. Rhyne, Roger Williams UniversityFollow
Nancy Breen, Roger Williams UniversityFollow
Lad Akins
Barry Nash

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2011

Comments

Published in: Aquaculture, Aquariums, Conservation & Legislation, Vol. 5, 2011

Abstract

Lionfish, Pterois volitans and P. miles, are native to the Indo-Pacific and have recently invaded the Western Atlantic Ocean. Strategies for control of this invasion have included limited removal programs and promotion of lionfish consumption at both local and commercial scales. We demonstrate that lionfish meat contains higher levels of healthy n-3 fatty acids than some frequently consumed native marine fish species. Mean lionfish fillet yield was 30.5% of the total body wet weight, a value that is similar to that of some grouper and porgy species. A sensory evaluation indicated that lionfish meet the acceptability threshold of most consumers.

Recommended Citation

Morris, J.A., A. Thomas, A.L. Rhyne, N. Breen, L. Akins, and B. Nash. 2011. "Nutritional Properties of the Invasive Lionfish: A Delicious and Nutritious Approach for Controlling the Invasion." Aquaculture, Aquariums, Conservation & Legislation 5: 99-102.