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Labor Day Is Last Day To Participate In Lionfish Challenge

Jason Blitzer with his Lionfish Challenge submission.
Jason Blitzer

Labor Day is the last day to participate in the Lionfish Challenge.

Lionfish harvesters have until Monday to participate in a tournament aimed at ridding the state of the invasive species. Lionfish have no natural predators and have a negative impact on native wildlife.

So far, more than 14,600 have been removed as part of the Lionfish Challenge.

This year, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials added a “tagged lionfish” element. That means any lionfish caught with a tag at 50 reefs across the state could be eligible for a cash prize.

Tagged Lionfish can still be found in 12 counties, including Bay, Franklin, and Okaloosa. For more information, visit the FWC’s website.

Meanwhile, the public can still catch lionfish, even after the challenge ends.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.