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Florida Record Broken For Longest Lionfish Caught In The Gulf Of Mexico

WFSU | By Robbie Gaffney
Published November 5, 2020 at 4:29 PM EST
Two men stand side by side. The one on the right holds a large striped fish. The one on the left gives a thumbs up to the camera.
Donald Vautrinot
/
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Florida record for the longest lionfish caught in the Gulf of Mexico has been broken by Donald C. Vautrinot.

The record-breaking lionfish was caught off the shore of Destin, Florida. It measured 18.19 inches. It’s shy of the overall state record of 18.78 inches. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission encourages people to remove Lionfish from Florida waters. It’s an invasive species that eats native fish.
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Robbie Gaffney
Robbie Gaffney graduated from Florida State University with degrees in Digital Media Production and Creative Writing. Before working at WFSU, they recorded FSU’s basketball and baseball games for Seminole Productions as well as interned for the PBS Station in Largo, Florida. Robbie loves playing video games such as Shadow of the Colossus, Animal Crossing, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. Their other hobbies include sleeping and watching anime.  
See stories by Robbie Gaffney