The Ministry of the Environment (MMA) launched a campaign to guide tourists, fishermen and divers to the appearance of the lionfish (Pterois volitans), an invasive species that is not native to Brazilian waters. The campaign, launched yesterday (11), in partnership with the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), provides for the distribution of pamphlets and posters with information about the dangers of this animal, whose presence has already been recorded on the coast of Pará and Fernando de Noronha (PE), for the Brazilian marine ecosystem and for humans.
The lionfish has a white striped body with orange, red and brown hues, 18 large spines and elongated fins. As it has no predators, the species originating from the Indo-Pacific, proliferates uncontrollably, robbing native fish of space and food and, consequently, affecting the entire ecosystem.
The spines in the dorsal region of the lionfish release a poison that is harmful to humans, whose toxin can cause fever, redness and even convulsions.
Information will be made available to the population for anyone who is a victim of the species on how to take care of the affected area to make it difficult for the poison to act and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
For fishermen and divers, the newsletters also warn that the animal should not be returned to the sea and that authorities should be informed about the place where the fish was seen to help monitor this species.
The material, in pamphlet format, will also have a QR Code with a form so that people can send information about the place where the species was seen and/or captured to the ministry, with photos and images being sent.
According to the MMA, the “pamphlets have appropriate language for each audience and will be distributed in priority coastal areas of the country to guide bathers, fishermen and divers in case they spot the lionfish.”
