Lionfish Tournaments and Events
Get involved with lionfish removal and awareness efforts by participating in any of our statewide events and tournaments, host a "Become the Predator" workshop, feature educational brochures in your shop, or host a "Lionfish: Classroom Invasion" dissection and presentation.
Contact Lionfish@MyFWC.com for more information and to schedule.
Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day
First Saturday after Mother's Day each year. Check out our annual festival.
Get Involved
Workshop includes an educational presentation about the lionfish invasion, statewide programs and control efforts, harvesting gear and techniques, safe handling and a fillet demonstration.
Dive shops and charters can also request a lionfish excursion. FWC educates and trains divers to confidently and safely harvest lionfish.
Available upon request.
Contact Lionfish@MyFWC.com and include name of organization, location and estimated number of attendees.
Educational materials are available for display and distribution in your dive shop or classroom. Contact Lionfish@MyFWC.com and include your mailing address and type of materials requested.
View the educational lionfish brochure or poster.
Lionfish Tournament Assistance
FWC encourages removal efforts by supporting lionfish-specific and multi-species spearfishing tournaments.
From 2014-2023, Florida has held 187 tournaments and removed over 191,000 lionfish.
Our 2024-2025 Tournament Funds Requests are live. For any questions or to learn more about the program email Lionfish@MyFWC.com.
2024 Lionfish Tournament and Event Calendar
| Date | Location | Name | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 1- May 17, 2024 | Statewide |
2024 Emerald Coast Open Pretournament |
|
| May 17-18, 2024 | Destin, FL |
2024 Emerald Coast Open Main Tournament |
|
| May 18-19, 2024 | Destin, FL |
Lionfish Removal Awareness Day Festival |
|
| July 20-21, 2024 | Key West, FL |
2nd Annual Key West Lionfish Derby |
|
| August 16-17, 2024 | Key Largo, FL | REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby |
Add your tournament to our calendar!
Email the tournament name, date, location, contact information and tournament website to Lionfish@MyFWC.com.
For historical tournament results, email Lionfish@MyFWC.com.
2023 Lionfish Tournament Results
| Date | Location | Derby Name | Website | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 1- May 18, 2023 | Statewide | 2023 Emerald Coast Open Pretournament | 5,139 Lionfish | |
| April 1- June 30, 2023 | Key Largo, FL | REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Sweeps | 173 Lionfish | |
| May 19- 20, 2023 | Destin, FL | 2023 Emeral Coast Open Main Tournament | 19,560 Lionfish | |
| May 20- 21, 2023 | Destin, FL | Lionfish Removal Awareness Day Festival | 38 Lionfish | |
| June 2- 4, 2023 | Key West, FL | That's What She Shot Spearfishing Tournament | 38 Lionfish | |
| July 15, 2023 | Panama City, FL | 2nd Annual Dive for a Cure |
https://www.facebook.com/events/divers-den/dive-for-a-cure-2023/303941821979491/ |
67 Lionfish |
| July 14-16, 2023 | Key West, FL | 1st Annual Key West Lionfish Tournament | 397 Lionfish | |
| September 8-9, 2023 | Islamorada, FL | REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby | 1,898 Lionfish | |
| September 10, 2023 | Islamorada, FL | REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Festival | ||
| October 7-8, 2023 | Navarre Beach, FL | Navarre Fishing Rodeo | 0 Lionfish | |
| October 20-21, 2023 | Pensacola, FL | Pensacola Lionfish Shootout | 2,488 Lionfish | |
| October 21-22, 2023 | Pensacola, FL | Pensacola Lionfish Festival |