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8. Lionfish
While these fish may be beautiful, lionfish are an aggressive reef eating species known to wipe out whole populations of native coral, which in turn destroys the entire ecosystem in the area.
Lionfish used to only live in the Pacific Ocean, but aquarium owners introduced these fish to areas all over the world. When these owners get rid of the lionfish and dump them in new waters, they become an invasive predator, preying on wildlife that doesn’t know how to defend itself against them.
Scientists say the lionfish population will continue to grow uncontrollably…unless we start eating them. So in response, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) launched a campaign in 2010 called “Eat Lionfish”.
National Geographic says that lionfish have “moist, buttery meat that is often compared to hogfish, one of the most popular reef fish served in restaurants”.
Supporters confirm that eating lionfish is “healthier than eating snapper or grouper because lionfish have higher concentrations of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids…[and are] also very low in heavy metals like mercury and lead”.
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