black and white bed linen

SAVE THE REEF

Invasive Lionfish are Devastating The Caribbean

Protecting Caribbean Reefs

TTT works to safeguard Caribbean marine ecosystems by actively controlling invasive lionfish and supporting the recovery of native reef species through local, hands-on action.

Our Mission

Why it Matters

We all depend on healthy oceans and ecosystems

We act today to secure marine life for future generations

Lionfish have no natural predators in the Caribbean, reproduce rapidly, and heavily consume juvenile reef fish. Left unchecked, they disrupt ecosystems and threaten fisheries and livelihoods.

What We Do

We turn commitment into measurable actions

  • Direct lionfish removal on affected reefs by experienced divers

  • Field data recorded for each dive (number of individuals, size and weight)

  • Active collaboration with local authorities, fishers, and dive operators

  • Clear evidence-based outreach grounded in real results

Focused action to counter an invasive species

Invasive lionfish on a Caribbean reef threatening native marine life
Invasive lionfish on a Caribbean reef threatening native marine life
Healthy Caribbean reef ecosystem with sea fan coral and native marine life
Healthy Caribbean reef ecosystem with sea fan coral and native marine life
Baby sea turtle on a Caribbean beach, reflecting healthy ocean ecosystems
Baby sea turtle on a Caribbean beach, reflecting healthy ocean ecosystems

See why Lionfish control matters

Our Work Beyond the Dive

Protecting ecosystems also means working with people

TTT team and SMMA rangers working together to protect St. Lucia's marine ecosystems
TTT team and SMMA rangers working together to protect St. Lucia's marine ecosystems
Diver monitoring a Caribbean coral reef and native fish populations
Diver monitoring a Caribbean coral reef and native fish populations

Collaborating Locally

In collaboration with local authorities, fishers, dive operators, and communities, we help ensure lionfish control efforts are practical, accepted, and effective on the ground.

Our Community Engagement

Contribution to Science & Management

TTT shares field data and firsthand observations with biologists and fisheries managers to support research, inform policy decisions, and strengthen long-term management strategies.

We work with those who live from and manage these ecosystems

We turn awareness into understanding through engagement

We turn field observations into usable knowledge

Prepared lionfish dish promoting invasive lionfish removal in the Caribbean
Prepared lionfish dish promoting invasive lionfish removal in the Caribbean
  • Clear, accessible discussions explaining the lionfish issue.

  • Outreach materials adapted to local audiences.

  • Safe handling and preparation guidance.

  • Tastings to promote lionfish as a sustainable food option.

Giving Reefs a Fighting Chance

black and white bed linen

SAVE THE REEF

Invasive Lionfish are Devastating The Caribbean

Protecting Caribbean Reefs

TTT works to safeguard Caribbean marine ecosystems by actively controlling invasive lionfish and supporting the recovery of native reef species through local, hands-on action.

Our Mission

Why it Matters

We all depend on healthy oceans and ecosystems

We act today to secure marine life for future generations

Lionfish have no natural predators in the Caribbean, reproduce rapidly, and heavily consume juvenile reef fish. Left unchecked, they disrupt ecosystems and threaten fisheries and livelihoods.

What We Do

We turn commitment into measurable actions

  • Direct lionfish removal on affected reefs by experienced divers

  • Field data recorded for each dive (number of individuals, size and weight)

  • Active collaboration with local authorities, fishers, and dive operators

  • Clear evidence-based outreach grounded in real results

Counter an invasive species

Invasive lionfish on a Caribbean reef threatening native marine life
Invasive lionfish on a Caribbean reef threatening native marine life
Healthy Caribbean reef ecosystem with sea fan coral and native marine life
Healthy Caribbean reef ecosystem with sea fan coral and native marine life
Baby sea turtle on a Caribbean beach, reflecting healthy ocean ecosystems
Baby sea turtle on a Caribbean beach, reflecting healthy ocean ecosystems

See why Lionfish control matters

Our Work Beyond the Dive

Collaboration with local stakeholders

TTT team and SMMA rangers working together to protect St. Lucia's marine ecosystems
TTT team and SMMA rangers working together to protect St. Lucia's marine ecosystems
Diver monitoring a Caribbean coral reef and native fish populations
Diver monitoring a Caribbean coral reef and native fish populations

Collaborating Locally is Essential

In collaboration with local authorities, fishers, dive operators, and communities, we help ensure lionfish control efforts are practical, accepted, and effective on the ground.

Our Community Engagement

Contribution to Science & Management

TTT shares field data and firsthand observations with biologists and fisheries managers to support research, inform policy decisions, and strengthen long-term management strategies.

We work with those who live from and manage these ecosystems

We turn awareness into understanding through engagement

We turn field observations into usable knowledge

Prepared lionfish dish promoting invasive lionfish removal in the Caribbean
Prepared lionfish dish promoting invasive lionfish removal in the Caribbean
  • Clear, accessible discussions explaining the lionfish issue.

  • Outreach materials adapted to local audiences.

  • Safe handling and preparation guidance.

  • Tastings to promote lionfish as a sustainable food option.

Giving Reefs a Fighting Chance

Patrick observing reef life in Guadeloupe's Caribbean waters
Patrick observing reef life in Guadeloupe's Caribbean waters

Gallery

Reefs, Wildlife and Field Operations

Lionfish are strikingly beautiful, but in the Caribbean they are an invasive species with no natural predators. They reproduce rapidly and prey on young reef fish, disrupting the balance of reef ecosystems.

Pink sea whip corals growing on a sandy seabed in St. Lucia
Pink sea whip corals growing on a sandy seabed in St. Lucia

The images below offer a glimpse of our dives and the marine life we encounter along the way.

Common octopus camouflaged as a rock on a sandy seabed in St. Lucia
Common octopus camouflaged as a rock on a sandy seabed in St. Lucia
Glasseye snapper sheltering among reef sponges in St. Lucia
Glasseye snapper sheltering among reef sponges in St. Lucia
Caribbean spiny lobster feeding on an invasive dead lionfish
Caribbean spiny lobster feeding on an invasive dead lionfish
Pederson cleaner shrimp on a sponge beside a corkscrew anemone in St. Lucia
Pederson cleaner shrimp on a sponge beside a corkscrew anemone in St. Lucia
Hairy clinging crab sheltering inside a giant barrel sponge in St. Lucia
Hairy clinging crab sheltering inside a giant barrel sponge in St. Lucia
Spanish slipper lobster are very active at night and elusive day time
Spanish slipper lobster are very active at night and elusive day time
Feather duster worm filtering plankton among reef sponges in Guadeloupe
Feather duster worm filtering plankton among reef sponges in Guadeloupe
Sea turtles such as this Green Sea Turtle depend on healthy reef ecosystems
Sea turtles such as this Green Sea Turtle depend on healthy reef ecosystems
Magnificent feather duster worm with its parchment-like tube at Frederiksted Pier, St. Croix
Magnificent feather duster worm with its parchment-like tube at Frederiksted Pier, St. Croix
Southern teardrop crab on a marine sponge in St. Lucia
Southern teardrop crab on a marine sponge in St. Lucia
Christmas tree worms, corals, sponges and mussels thriving on a Caribbean reef
Christmas tree worms, corals, sponges and mussels thriving on a Caribbean reef
Removing invasive lionfish to protect Caribbean reef ecosystems
Removing invasive lionfish to protect Caribbean reef ecosystems
Juvenile invasive lionfish on a reef in St. Croix, USVI
Juvenile invasive lionfish on a reef in St. Croix, USVI
Longspine squirrelfish sheltering among coral and sponges, Frederiksted Pier, St. Croix.
Longspine squirrelfish sheltering among coral and sponges, Frederiksted Pier, St. Croix.
Reef urchin sheltering among sponges, algae, and coral crevices in St. John USVI
Reef urchin sheltering among sponges, algae, and coral crevices in St. John USVI
Balloonfish swimming among colorful reef sponges in Martinique
Balloonfish swimming among colorful reef sponges in Martinique
Bearded fireworm on a Caribbean sponge in St. Lucia
Bearded fireworm on a Caribbean sponge in St. Lucia
Juvenile French angelfish swimming among sponges and corals in Martinique
Juvenile French angelfish swimming among sponges and corals in Martinique
School of tarpon swimming beneath Frederiksted Pier in St. Croix, USVI
School of tarpon swimming beneath Frederiksted Pier in St. Croix, USVI
Banded coral shrimp cleaning and scavenging among corals at Coral Garden, St. Lucia
Banded coral shrimp cleaning and scavenging among corals at Coral Garden, St. Lucia
An underwater hello from TTT
An underwater hello from TTT