Caye Barracudas
A southern reef, and a fish that was not here before 2011
Our records write it several ways: Caye Barracudas, Caye aux barracudas, Pointe Barracudas.
The register of Martinique sites lists a Tombant des barracudas in the southern sector, between Barradive and the Tombant des Demoiselles, not far from Grande Caye, for which we have a page. It is very likely the same place. We would rather write it that way than state it as fact.
The lionfish, here since 2011
The lionfish was first reported in Martinique in February 2011. It comes from the Indo-Pacific, and nothing here recognises it as prey.
What makes it formidable is its appetite. It hunts the juveniles of many species, gobies, wrasses, parrotfish, surgeonfish, and its expandable stomach lets it swallow prey up to two thirds of its own size. A control strategy for the French West Indies was drawn up as early as 2013.
In other words, it eats exactly what should become tomorrow’s reef.
What to do when you meet one
- Do not touch it. Its spines are venomous and the sting is extremely painful.
- Do not read it like other fish. It does not flee as you approach: it stays put. That is what makes it easy to photograph and dangerous to brush against.
- Report it. Sightings are collected, and they feed the monitoring of the invasion.
What level you need here
| Your level | What you can do here |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Depending on the depth on the day, just ask |
| Level 2 and above | The site |