Hasta La Motion!

Directed and Edited by Kerrin Sheldon – https://vimeo.com/user2205016 Co-Produced by Elaine McMillion Sheldon – https://vimeo.com/elainemc Music by Chris Zabriskie — As the lionfish invasion progresses through the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico, researchers, spearfishermen, and local communities race to protect native species and reefs from the voracious invaders. Lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific, are thought to have been first introduced to Atlantic waters by aquarium owners in the 1980s. Since then, their population has grown at an alarming rate. With no predators and an unstoppable appetite, the lionfish have severely impacted local fish populations – including grouper, snapper, and other species important to local economies. Conservationists in the Florida Keys have been proactive in controlling the lionfish population by continually removing the invasive predators from the water. Organizations such as REEF and local dive shops hold Lionfish Derbies, attracting divers and spearfisherman from around the country. This 5-minute short film features characters featured in a project, titled INVASIVE, being released in the Spring 2015. Find out more about REEF and the invasion: http://www.reef.org Learn to spearfish and dive at the Islamorada Dive Center: http://www.islamoradadivecenter.com