Lionfish are present on the northeastern coast coconut-etiennus / iNaturalist The City of Rio do Fogo announced the 1st Lionfish Hunting Tournament, an initiative that aims to encourage control of the invasive species on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte through artisanal fishing. The competition will distribute R$3,500 in prizes. Participation will be subject to mandatory training, scheduled for August 10th. According to City Hall, the tournament aims to bring together environmental preservation actions and awareness about the impacts caused by lionfish. ? Click here to follow the g1 RN channel on WhatsApp The species represents a threat to marine biodiversity as it has no natural predators on the Brazilian coast and reproduces quickly. A study developed by researchers at the Federal Rural University of Semi-Árido (Ufersa) reinforces the concern. READ ALSO: Understand why the species poses risks Lionfish are caught in RN; researcher cites 'accelerated reproduction' of species The research concluded that the invasion of lionfish on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte represents "an imminent and significant threat to local marine biodiversity, impacting marine ecosystems and the fishing economy". The work analyzed specimens collected between 2022 and 2024 by partner fishermen in municipalities on the Costa Branca, mainly Areia Branca, Porto do Mangue and Macau. The researchers found that the species has a growth rate similar to that observed in other invaded regions, which may indicate that the Rio Grande do Norte coast offers favorable conditions for establishment and dispersal. The tournament Mandatory training for participants will be held on August 10, at 9 am, at Colônia Z-3, in Rio do Fogo. The competition will distribute R$3,500 in prizes, with: 1st place: R$2,000; 2nd place: R$ 1 thousand; 3rd place: R$500; Gifts for participants. The main rule of the contest is simple: the boat that captures the largest number of lionfish wins. Lionfish, the invasive species that could threaten the ecological balance in Brazil