To fight lionfish invasion, Cuba learns to cook them

[El Presidente]

 

A most entertaining article 

 

http://phys.org/news/2016-06-lionfish-invasion-cuba-cook.html

[Ken Gargett]

if only cane toads were tasty.

what idiot would "accidently" release lionfish?

eating them is not a bad solution. i'm sure the locals will work out the best way to handle and serve them.

i remember when i was on christmas island and i caught a fugu fish (on fly, if you you don't mind!). was talking to my guide about it. he said it is one of their favourite foods and one that was served to children regularly - apparently it was good for them. after years hearing about the dangers, i asked about that. he looked at me like i was dim and said that they just chop that bit off. don't need seven years to learn how to chop off a bit of fish. 

 

[SurpriseMVP]

Just watched something on television about these fish down in the Florida Keys. No natural predators. They spear them, then put in special buckets so they can't sting you. They looked delicious when prepared to eat.

Mike

[Bill Hayes]

Went for a lazy scuba dive in Vietnam a few years back while on holiday. Hardly any fish about except for lots of lion fish and one very hungry remora fish that attached itself to my tank, looking for a free feed. Shame that they have found their way to the Caribbean/Cuba. Starfish are bad enough at destroying reefs as it is. 

[stogieluver]

They're becoming a real problem along our coast line, so we have lionfish tournaments with the fish cooked various ways in an attempt to show how tasty they are.  I've not tried any, yet, but I hear they are very good eating.  It's been all over the local news the last couple of years.

[luv2fly]

We dive Bonaire and they have a problem too.  They spear and cook them. You have to have a license since fishing on the reef is a big no no.  Several restaurants have them on the menu time to time.  I hear they are good but I am not a fish guy so don't know first hand.

[cigcars]

    I was watching Andrew Zimmerin on Travel Channel while he was in Jamaica, and he observed that they deal with their lion fish problem the same way...catch, cook and eat them. And of course there was the step-by-step preparation he showed as to how they avoid the poisonous fins, cut off the fins, then eat the succulent meat. I've been curious about Fugu for years, but am not sure if I should chance trying it. They say that you do learn about patrons in Japan at these swanky restaurants where suddenly you'll hear somebody's chopsticks rattle to the ground, then the unfortunate individual slowly fall forward unconscious -then dies, because of an incorrectly prepared Fugu dish...

[PatrickEwing]

NYT article, sounds like a fun time

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/05/26/science/florida-lionfish-invasive-species-tournament.html

 

[Ken Gargett]

6 hours ago, cigcars said:

    I was watching Andrew Zimmerin on Travel Channel while he was in Jamaica, and he observed that they deal with their lion fish problem the same way...catch, cook and eat them. And of course there was the step-by-step preparation he showed as to how they avoid the poisonous fins, cut off the fins, then eat the succulent meat. I've been curious about Fugu for years, but am not sure if I should chance trying it. They say that you do learn about patrons in Japan at these swanky restaurants where suddenly you'll hear somebody's chopsticks rattle to the ground, then the unfortunate individual slowly fall forward unconscious -then dies, because of an incorrectly prepared Fugu dish...

i think the problem in japan is that the great fugu chefs actually spend many years attempting to learn how to leave the merest hint of the poison so that diners get a tiny hit of it. it is a real skill.

at christmas island, i think they don't mess around. that part just gets chopped away leaving a perfectly edible remaining part of the fish. 

[saintsmokealot]

Here in South Florida Whole Foods is starting to sell them. I can't remember the count but if you spear so many while fishing lobster or scallops you are allowed extra quota of either one.  I haven't tried any yet but bone day I"m sure I will.

[saintsmokealot]

By chance I needed to go to Whole Foods today.

[eswary]

We had them on the reefs in Key West. People eat them in Florida too.

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[RDBM]

Not sure I'd try it myself but supposed to be delicious.