Lionfish Challenge 2017

Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day 2017 (May 20, 2017) through Labor Day (Sept. 4, 2017)

All participants who have an active Saltwater Products License and who have commercial lionfish sales within the past year will automatically be included in the commercial category.

Qualify

Register for the Lionfish Challenge (Registration opens May 8, 2017)
Harvest 25 or more lionfish
Send photo of harvest to Lionfish@MyFWC.com (first 25 ONLY)
Include harvester name, date the lionfish were harvested, and signature in the photograph
First 25 may also be submitted at an FWC approved checkpoint

Submitting more than 25 lionfish

Watch a video on how to submit lionfish tails
Bring tails and FWC Lionfish Challenge Submission Form to approved checkpoints (American Divers International)
Tails must be in a dry plastic sandwich bag
Label bag with diver name, date, phone number and number of tails included
Last day to submit is Sept. 4, 2017
Checkpoints will retain bags for verification by FWC staff

Qualify

Register for the Lionfish Challenge
Harvest and sell at least 25 pounds (or 25 fish if a Marine Life Endorsement harvester)
Submit a photo or copy of your commercial trip tickets dated May 20-Sept. 4, 2017, to Lionfish@MyFWC.com (photo must include harvester name, date harvested, amount sold and your signature in photo)
Last day to submit is Sept. 4, 2017
All participants who have an active Saltwater Products License and who have commercial lionfish sales will automatically be included in the commercial category.

All qualified recreational and commercial participants

Commemorative coin
T-shirt
Featured in the FWC Lionfish Hall of Fame on the MyFWC.com website
Spiny lobster – one per person, per day in addition to daily bag limit during 2017 sport season only (July 26-27, 2017) - if qualified before relevant harvest opportunity starts

Tiered prizes will be awarded as participants submit additional lionfish.

Recreational

75 lionfish: re-usable heat pack for stings and FWC Lionfish Control Team neck gaiter
150 lionfish: FWC Lionfish Control Team tumbler
300 lionfish: Polespear and grip kit

Commercial

150 lionfish: re-usable heat pack for stings and FWC Lionfish Control Team neck gaiter
300 lionfish: FWC Lionfish Control Team tumbler
600 lionfish: Polespear and grip kit

Lionfish King or Queen - Recreational

Most number of lionfish submitted
Lionfish King/Queen trophy awarded Sept. 10 at the Lionfish Safari in St. Petersburg
$500 gift card for dive tank refills
Feature article in FWC’s January 2018 Saltwater Regulations publication
Featured prominently in the FWC Lionfish Hall of Fame on the MyFWC.com website

Commercial Champion

Most pounds of lionfish submitted
Commercial Champion trophy awarded Sept. 10 at the Lionfish Safari in St. Petersburg
Featured in FWC’s commercial saltwater regulations publication