More than 100 divers from across the country descended on Destin-Fort Walton Beach earlier this month for what organizers call the world’s largest lionfish tournament, and by the end of the event, more than 20,000 invasive lionfish had been removed from Gulf waters.
The 2026 Emerald Coast Open, held alongside the Lionfish Festival at HarborWalk Village, brought together divers, conservationists, restaurants, and spectators for a multi-day effort aimed at protecting the Gulf ecosystem from one of its most destructive invasive species.
According to Okaloosa County officials, divers harvested a total of 20,752 lionfish during the tournament and pre-tournament events combined. The pre-tournament accounted for 5,734 lionfish, while the main two-day competition produced another 15,018 fish.
Officials say the event continues to grow both as a conservation effort and as a tourism draw for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.
“This free family-friendly event has brought divers from across the country to our amazing area since 2019,” said Okaloosa County Commission Chairman Trey Goodwin in a statement. “What our natural resources staff and partners have been able to do is remarkable. They have created a festive event for the community that also gives back to our marine ecosystem.”
The tournament centered around Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s extensive artificial reef system, where divers used spears to hunt lionfish. Unlike traditional game fish, lionfish are difficult to catch with standard hook-and-line fishing methods because of their slow-moving behavior.
Marine experts warn that lionfish pose a significant threat to Gulf ecosystems because they reproduce rapidly and have few natural predators in local waters.
Behind AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar, tournament officials measured and weighed fish while HarborWalk Village hosted crowds attending the Lionfish Festival. Nearby restaurants also competed during Lionfish Restaurant Week, featuring specialty lionfish dishes in a culinary competition tied to the event.
Teams competed for more than $100,000 in cash and gear prizes.
Tournament winners included:
County officials say the annual event highlights how environmental conservation and tourism can work hand-in-hand while helping protect the Gulf’s marine habitats from invasive species.
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