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🐠 20,502 lionfish were removed from the Gulf during the 2025 Emerald Coast Open and Lionfish Festival in Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
🎯 Deep Water Mafia 1 led the pack with 2,038 lionfish, winning top honors in the tournament.
🍽️ La Paz claimed Best Lionfish Dish for the third year in a row during Restaurant Week.
🌊 The event brings the total lionfish removed since 2019 to over 100,000, helping combat the spread of the invasive species.
💰 $175,000 in cash and gear prizes were awarded to divers from across the country.
🔗 ICYMI: What’s the Deal with Lionfish? Here’s Why They’re a Big Problem in the Gulf
The world’s largest lionfish tournament once again lived up to its name, as divers removed more than 20,000 of the invasive species from Gulf waters during this year’s Emerald Coast Open and Lionfish Festival in Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
The annual event, hosted in May, attracted divers from across the country, all competing for nearly $175,000 in cash and prizes while helping to curb the spread of a predatory species threatening native marine life.
Between a week-long pre-tournament and a two-day main event, participants captured 20,502 lionfish: 7,180 during the early rounds and another 13,322 in the final showdown. This year’s haul pushes the tournament’s total past the 100,000 mark since it began in 2019.
“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,” said Okaloosa County Commission Chair Paul Mixon. “I enjoy seeing the success and the legacy of this event as it continues year to year.”
🎯 Winning Teams and Fishy Feats
The tournament’s headquarters was stationed behind AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar, while HarborWalk Village hosted the Lionfish Festival, featuring local vendors, conservation exhibits, and of course—lionfish cooked just about every way imaginable.
🦁 Why Lionfish?
Native to the Indo-Pacific, lionfish have become a serious problem in the Gulf of Mexico, where their venomous spines and voracious appetite allow them to outcompete native fish species. With few natural predators and an ability to reproduce rapidly, they’ve wreaked havoc on reef ecosystems.
“While this event continues to flourish, the opposite is happening for this invasive species,” said Alex Fogg, Okaloosa County’s Coastal Resource Manager. “Because of the divers and our amazing partners, we’re able to make a difference for our environment in Gulf waters.”
🎣 Unlike many fish that are easy to catch with a rod and reel, lionfish require hands-on removal—usually by divers with spears. That effort makes community-based events like the Emerald Coast Open critical to population control.
For more info on how to participate or support future tournaments, visit EmeraldCoastOpen.com.
