The Mitigating the Threat of Invasive Alien Species in the Insular Caribbean (MTIASIC) Project being implemented by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has collaborated with the UWI Discover Bay Marine Lab (DBML) to create a Lionfish Training Programme for the island. The training programme was designed to provide full training to enable participants to competently share knowledge and provide training on how to mitigate the effects of the invasive lionfish in Jamaica.   

The first training session was held during September 7-8, 2010 at DBML. Day two of the training initiative involved dissemination of information on the biology of the lionfish, the impact of the invasive species, collection of scientific data for the species, safe handling of the lionfish, disposal of spines and basic first aid for envenomation.  The training programme also included field demonstrations on how to catch, prepare and cook the lionfish. Ten officers from NEPA and the Fisheries Division received training in these areas.    

The training was led by Dr. Dayne Buddo, Academic Coordinator of the UWI and Manager of Jamaica’s Lionfish Pilot Project with the assistance of Nakhle Haddo from Food for the Poor and Emma Plotnek, an intern at UWI-DBML.  The complete cost of the training programme was covered by the Mitigating the Threat of invasive Alien Species in the Insular Caribbean Project in Jamaica.