The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is launching its 2025 Lionfish challenge on May 24, to help remove the invasive fish from Florida’s waters.
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According to FWC, the challenge is a summer-long tournament open to all Floridians across the state.
Lionfish are commonly found in offshore waters. They are harvested using a pole spear and a containment device.
The challenge is split into two divisions. Recreational divers must remove the tails from their lionfish and submit them to checkpoints around the state to be verified.
According to FWC’s website the South Florida the checkpoints are:
- Miami-Dade County:
Austin’s Diving Center:
10525 S Dixie Highway
Miami, FL 33156
Diver’s Paradise Miami
4000 Crandon Blvd
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Tarpoon Lagoon Dive Center
300 Alton Road Suite 100
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(Miami Beach Marina)
- Broward County:
AquaLife Divers
2705 N Riverside Drive
Pompano, FL 33062
Diver’s Direct
180 Gulf Stream Way
Dania Beach, FL 33004
Dixie Divers
455 South Federal Highway
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
Force-E Scuba Center – Fort Lauderdale
2808 North Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
Force-E Scuba Center – Pompano Beach
1312 North Federal Highway
Pompano Beach, FL 33431
- Monroe County:
Divers Direct- Key Largo
99621 Overseas HWY
Key Largo, FL 33037
Scuba Outlet
106010 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037
Finz Dive Center
6003 Peninsular Ave Unit 4
Key West, FL 33040
IslaMarina
85920 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036
Rainbow Reef
100800 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
Tildens Scuba Center
4650 Overseas Highway
Marathon, FL 33050
Palm Beach County:
Force-E Scuba Center – Boca Raton
2621 North Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Force-E Scuba Center – Boynton Beach
270 North Congress Ave
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
Pura Vida Divers
2513 Beach Ct
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Scuba Works
351 South US HWY 1, Suite 103
Jupiter, FL 33477
Commercial harvesters must submit copies of their trip tickets of lionfish sales.
The goal is to accumulate as many pounds of lionfish as possible from May 24 through Sept. 14, 2025.
Participants compete for the title of Lionfish King or Queen or Commercial Champion and for bragging rights.
To find out more about the challenge and to register, click on this link.