Local News

FWC Unveils 'Report Florida Lionfish' App

May 28, 2014 / 10:01 PM EDT / CBS Miami

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Due to the fact that lionfish in the Atlantic don't have predators, eat whatever fits in their mouths, and are naturally fast-breeders, wildlife officials encourage people to catch as many as possible. Now, there's an app for that.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) unveiled a new Report Florida Lionfish app during a live Twitter chat Wednesday.

The app is just another measure in attempting to control the ever-growing lionfish population. Lionfish are an invasive species that are negatively impacting the state's reefs and wildlife.

The app includes information on the invasive species, safe handling guidelines, and a data reporting form so that divers and fisherman can spread the lionfish wealth about their sighting or harvest with FWC.

All data uploaded to the app will be available to the public and shared with other groups and agencies with interest in this kind of information.

The first 250 users will receive a free interactive "Lionfish Control Team" t-shirt.

For more information, on lionfish, visit MyFWC.com/Nonnatives; click on "Marine Life."