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June 22, 2008
Fearmongering Florida style
Are deadly lionfish invading South Florida's waters?
Top scientists are warning about an impending invasion of a poisonous fish into South Florida's waters.
Scientists don't use the word "invasion" lightly, but that's exactly what they are predicting of the exotic-looking lionfish.
The poisonous tips on the lionfish's fins could present a danger to people who swim, dive or work in South Florida waters.
The lionfish's sting is so serious it can send victims to the hospital and even kill them.
"There is no anti-venom for this," said Lad Akins, executive director of Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF).
Experts are so concerned about the impending invasion of lionfish they are desperately trying to warn the public.
Scientists and volunteers are feverishly trying to fight the invasion of lionfish.
To do this, they are studying -- and killing -- the lionfish, now found in both deep and shallow water.
OMG! We're all gonna die! or... not.
Aquarium manager Anthony Bartolome said he has been stung five times by lionfish.
"It pretty much burns like fire," Bartolome said.
The pain from a lionfish sting lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Sure, a lionfish sting can kill someone, but so can a Portuguese man-of-war. Most people just hurt for a while, and it appears that the hurt from a lionfish wears off sooner than the hurt from a man-of-war. But what the heck, let's use the word "deadly" even though you're more than likely to just hurt for a bit. That's MSM fear mongering at its best, the use of the word deadly in the headline is just plain irresponsible reporting, calculated to provoke panic and hysteria.
So? Maybe we'll just eat...
They taste like chicken? Why does everything "exotic" taste like chicken?
Posted by LindaSoG at June 22, 2008 03:17 PM
Comments
I'm more worried about the Tilapia invasion of the local grocers... Thankfully my fishmonger doesn't carry that stuff.
Posted by: oceanguy at June 23, 2008 09:12 AM
The author of the piece neglected to attribute the potentially deadly lionfish invasion to man-made global cooling/warming/climate change. Heads are gonna roll for this.
Posted by: Herr Blücher at June 24, 2008 11:49 PM
Look, it's not the end of the world, but a lionfish packs a tremendous punch. Seriously. I've seen the effects -- a man whose arm had swollen to 3X it's normal size and was incredibly painful. He claimed he lost feeling in that arm for months afterwards... his hand felt numb and tingly.
So I'd say a Lionfish sting is roughly comparable to a rattlesnake bite or some of the more potent jellyfish.
Posted by: --jack at July 4, 2008 11:01 AM