HONOR ROLL
A Perpetual
Lionfish
​Tournament

In collaboration with the Belize Fisheries Department and other partners, ECOMAR, through the Belize Lionfish Project, is launching the Lionfish Hunter Honor Roll Tournament to compile information on the number of lionfish being removed from our reefs.  The tournament will be ongoing and will tally each lionfish captured and provide one point per lionfish to the registered Lionfish Hunter.  Lionfish captured and entered in tournaments also count!  The registered Lionfish Hunter who has the most captures/points will be ranked highest on the Honor Roll.  

All marine guides, local divers, snorkelers and fishermen are encourage to register and submit catch reports and share photos of their catch.  If a large lionfish is captured we recommend that a picture be taken with a ruler and entered into the largest lionfish competition.  The current record for Belize is 42cm and was submitted by Polly Alford from Reef CI.  

Please see below Rules and a link to the Registration page.  The competition is based on the "honor: system and we hope that all Lionfish Hunters and Visitors will participate and have their catch counted!

Honor Roll Tournament Rules

Objectives
1. Adopt A Reef and keep it lionfish free.
2. Catch and remove as many lionfish as possible in a safe manner.
3. Raise awareness on lionfish being edible, not poisonous.
 
Registration Requirements
4. Complete the online registration form.
5. Present one of the three valid identification cards

• Fishing License
• Tour Guide License
• Open Water Diver certification card

6. Complete the online training course.
7. Submit the Lionfish Hunter Honor Roll Agreement.
8. Foreign visitors who wish to participate must accompany either a Belize Tourism Board licensed snorkel or dive guide or Belize Fisheries Department licensed fisherman.  Their catch can be added to the registered hunter's catch.
9. Qualifying participants will receive a Lionfish Hunter card issued by the Fisheries Department once their registration in the Honor Roll is complete.
 
Vessel Requirements
10. All boats used in the competition must be licensed with the Belize Port Authority. 
11. Each boat must have on board a First Aid Kit, and ensure that “Vinegar and Hot Water” is available as quickly as possible in case of envenomation.
 
Capture Requirements
12. Tour Guides, Scuba Divers and Visitors are only permitted to catch lionfish.
13. Only approved and registered spears can be used.
14. No lionfish shall be removed from protected areas unless under the direct supervision of the protected area’s managing organization. Participants are encouraged to work with the protected area managers to remove lionfish from Adopted Reefs within MPAs.

Special Requirements for SCUBA
15. All scuba divers must have basic open water certification and must present dive card at registration.
16. Only three prong tridents are permitted for use in capturing lionfish while scuba diving.
 
Submitting Your Catch Reports
17. Culled lionfish must be reported within one week of capture in order to be counted in the Honor Roll.
18. Participants are encouraged to eat captured lionfish, or sell or donate to a restaurant or fishing cooperative.

Prizes
19. The community will be asked to donate small prizes for most caught and largest lionfish for distribution each month.
 
Disqualification
20. Failure to comply with all rules of the Honor Roll competition will result in disqualification from the competition.

REGISTER

Register today and Adopt a Reef!

Making a difference - one lionfish at a time...