The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is set to launch its 2026 Lionfish Challenge, introducing new competition categories and expanded prize opportunities aimed at attracting more participants.
The annual challenge starts on May 22 and will run through Sept. 14.
It is designed to encourage the removal of invasive lionfish from Florida waters while recognizing a broader range of recreational and commercial harvesters.
FWC officials said the traditional Recreational and Commercial Champion titles have been replaced with five new awards:
Lionfish King, awarded to the top male participant in the recreational division
Lionfish Queen, awarded to the top female participant in the recreational division
Commercial Champion, awarded to the top participant in the commercial division
Junior Harvester, awarded to the top recreational participant younger than 18
Veteran Champion, awarded to the top recreational participant who is an active-duty service member or military veteran
In addition, the challenge will recognize a Top Supporter and a Top FWC Lionfish Checkpoint Participant.
“Lionfish derbies and the FWC Lionfish Challenge are a great way to help reduce lionfish numbers on coral reefs,” Tony Hart, FWC’s lionfish outreach coordinator, said in a statement. “Divers who participate are supporting conservation and doing their part to protect the vital marine resources in and around Florida’s waters.”
Lionfish are an invasive species known to harm native marine life and habitats. FWC officials said a single female lionfish can release as many as 30,000 eggs every four days, allowing populations to grow rapidly and outcompete native species for food and space.
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