Come see our live Lionfish display!
Lionfish feedings Monday, Wednesday & Saturday.
Pacific Lionfish have invaded Atlantic and Caribbean waters.
With no known predators, the population of these extremely prolific carnivores has exploded over the last 10 years. Lionfish will eat anything up to half their size, including juvenile grouper and snapper. The overall impact on reef systems and important commercial fisheries is still unknown.
Sunrise and Grills are very concerned about the problem, but we feel that you, our customers, can be a huge part of the solution! Contrary to popular belief lionfish meat is not poisonous; in fact, the venomous spines protect some of the most delicious white flakey meat you will ever taste.
Grills is paying top dollar for divers willing to take the risk!
They need more lionfish!
BE A GRILLS LION TAMER
To become part of our Lion Tamer Team you will need
- A Commercial Saltwater Products License (Anyone can apply for the basic Saltwater Products License)
- The Annual fee is $50 ( when you have a Saltwater Products License you do not need a Saltwater Fishing License)
- You can get the application for the Saltwater Products License here
What you need to catch Lionfish
Most experienced Lion Tamers prefer the shorter, lionfish-specific pole spears, but sometimes a longer spear can be an advantage in reaching spooked lionfish that are hiding out in structure.
Multiple prongs are better at holding the speared lionfish in place on the end of your spear. It is relatively easy to scrape speared lionfish into a retention tube or bag with these tips, and you minimize the likelihood of a fish sliding up the shaft.
Tubes like the Zookeeper are the preferred retention method for Lionfish hunters. Tubes are very quick and easy to detach a speared lionfish and offer total protection from spines.
Sunrise Marina sells many sizes of pole spears, Zookeepers, shears and fin resistant Hexarmour gloves.
Handling Lionfish to supply Grills
Above all else the fish need to be well iced immediately. After the fish are dead and chilled, accidental fin sticks are not nearly as severe. Each fish needs to be gutted and the venomous fins clipped. The 18 venomous fins are located on the dorsal, pectoral and anal fins. The flowery side fins are not venomous and should be left in tact. The lionfish needs to be a minimum of 7 oz.
Please bring the fish to Port Canaveral Grills. They accept fish between the hours of 7am and 3pm through the prep room procurement staff. Bring a copy of your Saltwater Products License.