Over 20,000 lionfish removed as divers and chefs join forces in Destin’s biggest eco-event
Destin, Florida – Destin-Fort Walton Beach was full with life as divers, foodies, and curious locals came together for the Emerald Coast Open and Lionfish Festival. The 2025 event was more than just a party; it was a big step forward for the environment because participants took out more than 20,000 invasive lionfish from the Gulf of Mexico.
Divers from all over the country came to compete. They were driven by a mix of love for the environment and the chance to win about $175,000 in prizes. The event started with a round before the tournament, during which teams caught an amazing 7,180 lionfish.
The major event, a two-day dive that went by quickly, brought in even more lionfish—13,322 more were caught and hauled to shore to be weighed and measured behind the busy AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar.
HarborWalk Village turned into a fun festival ground in addition to the diving. People looked at educational exhibits, danced to live music, and tried inventive lionfish dishes made by local eateries.
The festival’s Restaurant Week competition has become a highlight, with chefs showing off how delicious lionfish can be. Laz Paz won first place for the third year in a row this year, which supports the premise that this invasive species could be used in cooking.
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Teams competed for a number of prizes in the competition. Deep Water Mafia 1 won the “Most Lionfish” award with an amazing catch of 2,038 fish. Team Lookin’ Back was honored for catching the smallest fish, which was only 73 millimeters (about 2.8 inches) long. Team In the Clouds won the prize for the biggest lionfish with a specimen that was 438 millimeters (17.2 inches) long.
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The event isn’t just about numbers or prizes.
“This event has brought a lot of awareness to the invasive lionfish species and created a festive atmosphere for the enjoyment of our visitors and residents, while fostering prosperity for our local businesses,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon.
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Event planners and officials in charge of natural resources highlighted that every lionfish that is caught is a win for local marine life because these intruders don’t have many natural predators and may seriously disrupt Gulf ecosystems.
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Alex Fogg, the head of Natural Resources, said, “While this event continues to flourish, the opposite is happening for this invasive species.” The Emerald Coast Open is really helping the Gulf’s health, one lionfish at a time, thanks to a mix of community involvement, competition, and excellent collaborations.
