Lionfish, non-natives in the Atlanic Ocean, have been found around Bermuda CNN reported Monday.
"The lionfish invasion is probably the worst environmental disaster the Atlantic will ever face," Graham Maddocks, president and founder of Ocean Support Foundation told CNN. "I don't know if we can stop the lionfish invasion. This isn't a battle we can win, we can only maintain. Human beings started this problem. It is our fault they are here. We have to take responsibility and try to fix or hope we can control it." The foundation collaborates with government and research agencies to assist in decreasing the lionfish population throughout the island.
According to CNN, the Lionfish appeared around the island because pet owners put them in the Atlantic Ocean. Scientists have traced six to eight Lionfish back to the blame.
The species are non-indigenous to the body of water or not common in the body of water. This makes the animal dangerous to the community it resides since other fish species which live in the ocean are not used to having Lionfish around, and therefore do not know to keep their distance from them.
"It's an infestation," James Morris an ecologist with the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science told CNN. "The Atlantic Ocean is a big place, but the areas being affected are extremely important."
Lionfish make 30,000 to 40,000 eggs over a period of a few days. The species also grows sexually by one year old.
Researchers are currently collecting data to find out more about the rare find by diving 200 feet into the water, and using GoPro Hero 3 cameras. Divers also used two Sartec cameras, which allows their investigation to expand 250 feet CNN reported.
The team also uses many liquid image egos capable of going 130 feet underwater, and magnus scooters to get to where they need to go quickly.
