Lionfish in the Mediterranean III — Science, Debate and Mediterranean Spirit
Monaco played host to the third edition of the “Lionfish in the Mediterranean” conference, organized by Elafonisos Eco in collaboration with CIESM, the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), and the University of Gastronomic Sciences – Pollenzo, with the support of partner Acli Terra.
Over three lively days, experts, fishers, chefs and policymakers from 11 Mediterranean countries exchanged views — sometimes calmly, sometimes with the passionate enthusiasm only scientists can bring to a good hypothesis.
Not surprisingly, the first day was science-driven and “animated” as debates swirled around competing ideas:
Do lionfish prefers company or solitude (aggregational vs. solitary behavior)?
What about spawning periods, cannibalism tendencies, or whether older lionfish simply taste better?
Every perspective added a new piece to the puzzle of how this species behaves and adapts in its not-so-native Mediterranean home.
Day two shifted gears from theory to practice. The focus turned to how this new resource can be responsibly managed and even valued — from fishing yields and legal hurdles to the marketing potential of lionfish fillets. The discussions revealed the same energy as the fish themselves: resilient, adaptable, and occasionally spiky.
The third day looked inward — to the human dimension. The “psycho-social” session reminded everyone that adaptation to lionfish is not just about nets and numbers, but about perceptions, culture and coexistence. No one spoke of eradication: the consensus was clear — we still have much to learn before declaring the lionfish a villain. Perhaps, in balance, it may even play a compensatory ecological role.
As the conference closed, participants agreed that the way forward lies in regional cooperation, smart policies, and inclusive science — all grounded in a Mediterranean spirit of pragmatism and dialogue.
A forthcoming CIESM Policy Series will bring together these ideas and insights to help chart the next steps for science-based, sustainable management of the lionfish in the Mediterranean.
CIESM warmly thanks the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, Restaurant Marius, and CGM Gruppo Azimut for their generous support, and expresses its sincere appreciation to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco for His visit and His unwavering commitment to Mediterranean science and cooperation.