Story Updated: Feb 25, 2012 at 10:56 PM ECT
The dreaded lionfish, a tropical water predator, has been spotted in Tobago.
The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) has received a report of a sighting in Flying Reef, bringing to reality months of concern of a possible invasion, which could devastate Tobago’s coral reefs.
The sighting report was made by resident Keith Gibson, who holds a PhD in coastal zone management and has taught a fish ID course for commonly encountered fish in Tobago—which includes an awareness of what species to look out for, such as the lionfish.