Lionfish in the US Virgin Islands

The IndoPacific Lionfish (Pterois voltans/miles complex) was first captured in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands on November 25, 2008.  We had anticipated that the first lionfish would have been encountered in St. Thomas, due its close proximity to Puerto Rico, a confirmed source of lionfish, and due to the relatively shallow shelf structure of the Puerto Rican Bank system.  We speculate that the first lionfish in St. Croix may have come from the ballast water of a vessel that had transited directly from the Bahamas.  Since the first discovery, we have found fifteen fish on St. Croix and one on St. Thomas.  Total lengths ranged from 3.8 cm to 28 cm.  We discuss the response efforts with commercial fishers, and recreational marine resources users (fishers, swimmer/snorkelers and SCUBA divers).  The current response efforts include education, outreach and direct eradication emphasizing community involvement.