http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080717164319.htm
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/aug/14/lionfish-invasion-devastating-for-caribbean-biolog/

“This may very well become the most devastating marine invasion in history.”- Mark Hixon, Marine Ecologist

Summiteers,

Apparently the timid tropical fish of Caribbean coral reefs can’t stand the pressure of having the lion fish in their waters.  The majestic lion fish is being falsely accused of invading the Caribbean and destroying native fish. Is the lion fish eating smaller fish by the dozen?  Yes.  Did the lion fish invade Caribbean waters? No.  Now listen, the lion fish was released into the Caribbean as a result of poor aquarium maintenance that allowed the fish to breach aquarium walls and slip into the ocean.  It’s not the lion fish’s fault that they can succeed where Caribbean fish fail.  Scott Summit is proud, damn proud of the lion fish’s tenacity in unfamiliar territory.

Image courtesy of imserba.com

We should look to the the lion fish as a shining example of what a real Succeeder is. By definition a Succeeder tackles everything that is set in front of them in order to succeed, just like the lion fish has done .  The lion fish was able to break out of the aquarium jail it was imprisoned in, find its’ way through strange water to a source of food in the Caribbean, and breed in enough numbers that it is now claiming a once foreign territory as home.  There was nothing guaranteeing the success of the lion fish in the Caribbean.  They fought hard to survive and have succeeded.  The lion fish has worked around all problems and is now coming out on top.  But now the reward for being on top?  Talks of hunting the lion fish to extinction in the Caribbean.

We all know that being on top of the food chain is hard.  You become the target of attacks and the object of hatred from those who are inferior.  The lion fish is about to find out what that is all about.  With plans to release the lion fish’s natural enemy, the grouper, into the waters and paying for fishermen to target the lion fish the dream may become a nightmare.  It is ultimately not fair that the lion fish has made it this far and will now have to fight harder.  But there is no such thing as fair when your are trying to be the best.  Staying dominate is a constant struggle, one that the lion fish and any Summiteer is aware of.  But I have faith in theLion fish. Deep faith. They have come this far and know the territory better than the native fish.  The grouper would have to start from scratch, a weakness that the lion fish will undoubtedly exploit to stay on top. I’ll check back on this Caribbean crisis soon, after I finish feeding my lion fish a little diced grouper.


Stay on top,

Scott Summit

DBNR

Do you relate to the Lionfish??? Comment and discuss on Scott Summit’s Virtual Roundtable.