BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A statewide push to remove invasive lionfish from Florida waters returns this summer with expanded competition categories and new prize opportunities, as officials look to widen participation in a program tied directly to reef health across South Florida and beyond.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2026 Lionfish Challenge is scheduled to run from May 22 through Sept. 14. The multi-month event encourages divers, anglers and commercial harvesters to remove lionfish from Florida waters, a species known to rapidly multiply and disrupt native marine ecosystems.
This year’s competition introduces a broader set of awards, replacing the previous Recreational and Commercial Champion titles with multiple categories designed to recognize more participants across different groups.
In the recreational division, the top male and female participants will be named Lionfish King and Lionfish Queen. Additional categories include Junior Harvester, awarded to the top recreational participant under age 18, and Veteran Champion, recognizing the top active-duty service member or military veteran competing recreationally.
The commercial division will continue to award a Commercial Champion, while organizers have also added recognition for Top Supporter and Top FWC Lionfish Checkpoint Participant, expanding the scope beyond just harvest totals.
The program is run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state agency responsible for managing wildlife resources and marine conservation efforts. The Lionfish Challenge is one of several initiatives tied to reef protection, particularly along Florida’s Atlantic coast where coral ecosystems are under pressure from invasive species and environmental stressors.
Lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific, have established a strong presence in Florida waters. Their impact is tied to both reproduction and feeding behavior. A single female lionfish can release up to 30,000 eggs every four days, allowing populations to grow quickly. The species also competes aggressively with native fish for food and habitat, which can disrupt reef balance and reduce biodiversity.
The challenge is structured as both a competition and a removal effort. Participants harvest lionfish during the event window and submit them through designated checkpoints, where catches are recorded and verified for scoring.
Tony Hart, the FWC Lionfish Outreach Coordinator, said the program is designed to directly reduce lionfish numbers while engaging the public in conservation work.
“Lionfish derbies and the FWC Lionfish Challenge are a great way to help reduce lionfish numbers on coral reefs,” Hart said. “Divers who participate are supporting conservation and doing their part to protect the vital marine resources in and around Florida’s waters.”
South Florida, including Palm Beach County, sits along a stretch of coastline where reef systems are both economically and environmentally significant. Recreational diving, fishing, and tourism are tied closely to reef health, and state-led removal efforts are part of a broader strategy to manage invasive species in those waters.
Participation in the challenge is open to recreational and commercial harvesters, with registration and rules available through the FWC’s Reef Rangers program. Organizers also direct participants to official checkpoints throughout the state where harvested lionfish are counted.
FWC continues to encourage ongoing removal of lionfish outside of the competition period as well. The agency promotes harvesting as one of the most effective tools available to limit the species’ spread and reduce its impact on native marine life.
Residents and divers in Boca Raton and surrounding coastal communities are likely to see increased activity tied to the challenge during the summer months, particularly at boat ramps, dive sites, and local marinas participating in the checkpoint system.
The Lionfish Challenge operates as both a public engagement effort and a measurable removal program, with results contributing to statewide tracking of lionfish populations and harvest levels.
Participants can register, review rules, and find checkpoint locations through the FWC Reef Rangers Lionfish Challenge page. Updates on the program are also shared through FWC Reef Rangers social media channels.
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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