Lionfish Moving Away From Reefs Into Deeper Waters Off Quintana Roo
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The invasive lionfish in the Mexican Caribbean is still present off the coast of Quintana Roo, but its behavior has changed, according to José Gómez Burgos, president of the Xaman Ha fishing cooperative.
Gómez Burgos said juvenile lionfish have moved away from the reefs to medium-depth waters, while larger specimens have migrated to even deeper areas. This shift has made fishing for the species more difficult, and demand for lionfish consumption has also declined since the pandemic.
He suggested the movement may be a survival strategy. The lionfish is native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans and poses a threat to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. A fishing campaign was launched to curb its population growth.
In deeper waters, larger fish prey on lionfish, which did not happen on the reefs, Gómez Burgos noted. However, he warned that the species remains a risk, as wherever lionfish appear, they “wipe out everything.”
Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx
