Florida divers removed more than 36,000 invasive lionfish from state waters during the 2026 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Lionfish Challenge, setting a state record.
The challenge ran from May through Sept. 14 and drew more than 500 participants, according to the FWC. The total was about 5,000 lionfish higher than the previous year’s catch.
Lionfish are an invasive species known to harm native marine life. The annual removal challenge focuses divers’ efforts on taking the fish out of Florida waters.
