Operation Lionfish Returns to Pompano Beach to Help Clear Reefs of Invasive Species

Attention all eco-warrior divers, first responders and veterans! Get ready to help clear our reefs of the invasive lionfish during Operation Lionfish

Attention all eco-warriors! Get ready to help clear our reefs of the invasive lionfish during Operation Lionfish – June 28 and 29, dockside at the Sands Harbor Resort & Marina, 125 N. Riverside Drive in Pompano Beach.

Operation Lionfish will benefit the non-profit charity Warfighter Scuba, providing free scuba certifications to purple heart recipients. Already scheduled are 10-12 veterans diving on a South Florida Dive Headquarters charter with crews assisting in the harvest of lionfish.

Many other dive charters will provide special trips for local hunters ready to slay some lionfish. Included as Derby Dive Boat partners are Deerfield Beach-based Dixie Divers, on the Lady Go Diver, Pompano Beach-based AquaLife Divers, Miami-based Ace Diving, and the Palm Beach Kaylami Scuba Club. Of course, private vessels are welcome to come dockside for the many festivities.

The cost is $100 per two diver teams with first, second and third place prizes for largest, smallest and most amount of lionfish. There will be awards, prizes and a silent auction.

During the event, divers will have the chance to win amazing prizes from generous sponsors. Each lionfish earns the dive team a raffle ticket, upping chances to snag incredible raffle prizes during the weigh-in and awards ceremony.

Divers who participate and provide 2024 FWC Lionfish tail verification can register for the coin for the extra lobster allowed during miniseason. Miniseason is around the corner, so don’t miss out!

The kick-off dock party will start on June 28 at 5:30 p.m. with a special Captain Bouncer Smith Sportfishing Seminar. The cost to register is $25 per person. The captain’s meeting will go from 7 to 7:30 p.m., however, the dock party will last until 8:30 p.m. and include music by Mango Man, and “docktails and tall tails” by diving legend Neal “Dive God” Watson, sportfishing legend Captain Bouncer Smith and this writer, Lobster Sniper Jim “Chiefy” Mathie.

The lionfish hunt on June 29 begins at 7 a.m. with the measuring scales opening at 1 p.m. The dock party is 3 until 7 p.m. and features more live music by Mango Man and a lionfish cooking demonstration. The scales close at 6 p.m.

Mark Ellert, president of Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts, the title sponsor of the event, says raising awareness about the fragile nature of the marine ecosystem is the “DNA” of the Guy Harvey brand.

“Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts is proud to inaugurate Operation Lionfish, bringing together the many divers and sportsmen here in our South Florida hometown community to help protect our world renown reefs (from the threat posed by lionfish),” said Ellert. “We’ve created a derby to entice these eco-warriors to contribute their time and energy to this cause while giving back to our soldier-warriors who have sacrificed to allow us the freedoms to enjoy the South Florida water sports lifestyle.”

Another main sponsor, Sunrise-based lionfish containment unit maker Zookeeper, is donating 10 percent of sales during the event. Additionally, they will be on the dock showcasing their products as well as participating in the derby.

“Zookeeper believes in what this event stands for. Supporting our veterans and first responders (Warfighter Scuba) is very near and dear to the entire Zookeeper family,” said Tim Robinson, president of Zookeeper. “And as always, removing Lionfish and protecting our ecosystem is very important to our team.”

For more information, visit operationlionfish.com and remember: “The Only good lionfish is a dead lionfish!” They are also really good to eat!

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