A monthlong tournament has just kicked off to see who can take the most lionfish out of Northeast Florida waters. State wildlife officials are promoting similar tournaments around the state to thin out the invasive species’ numbers. Divers at Jacksonville’s Mudville Grille signed up last week to prey on the spiny predator. Benjamin Messinese, an Atlantic Beach resident, says you don’t have to think to catch a lionfish. “They’re all over the place. They’re not skittish, they’re not scared,” Messiese said. “They sit still. They’re right there in front of you.” The divers use a Hawaiian sling to catch the lionfish. The Hawaiian sling is a spear, that looks more like Neptune’s trident — with five razor-sharp barbs instead of three, and a big rubber band on the other end. Jacksonville’s Joe Kistel says, for this crowd, it’s the weapon of choice. Kistel said, “You pull it back, get close to the lionfish, let it go and it’s a done deal.” Northeast Florida Lionfish Blast organizer Donnie
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