The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is concerned with the growing population of lionfish, a destructive species of fish.
The FWC hopes to start up new efforts to prevent the further spread of lionfish and work on extraction. Extraction programs are available for individuals who spot a lionfish in Florida, including a smartphone app.
"The first thing we want you to do is report it," said FWC spokesperson Amanda Nalley. "You can report it using the Report Florida Lionfish app, or you can also report it to us on our website. The second thing we want you to do is - if you feel comfortable doing so - remove the lionfish from Florida waters."
New penalties will soon be put in place for those in possession of lionfish for purposes other than research or who don't possess a permit.
While the breeding of lionfish can be dangerous, Nalley said doing so for research purposes is still permitted. Research may help solve how to better control the population.
Nalley said lionfish have been reproducing and growing in numbers without any form of population control. As new competitors to coral reefs, they feed on the animals there until the reef is left completely barren before moving on. This leaves algae to grow to unhealthy levels, detracting from the well-being of the ecosystem.
Lionfish also prey on larger species that are important to the Florida economy, like grouper and snapper. Lionfish have affected Florida's wildlife since the 1990s.