Florida’s 2026 Lionfish Challenge resulted in the removal of more than 36,000 invasive lionfish from state waters, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The annual summer competition ran from May 22 through Sept. 14 and drew 533 registered participants. FWC reported 36,187 lionfish removed, about 5,000 more than the prior year’s total.
Lionfish are non-native, invasive predatory reef fish in Florida. FWC says they eat native fish important to reef algae balance, habitat and overall reef health, while also competing with native predators including grouper and snapper.
Hunter Ledbetter of Monroe County was named Lionfish King after removing 1,541 fish. Helen Rodney of Broward County earned the Lionfish Queen title with 1,488 fish. Ledbetter was also named Veteran Champion and identified as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
Other 2026 winners included David Garrett of Volusia County, the Commercial Champion, who removed 1,136 pounds of lionfish; Junior Champion Meagan Huffman of Texas, who removed 185 fish; and Dive Pros in Pensacola, named Top Checkpoint after collecting more than 5,000 lionfish tails.
