The Christian Science Monitor

Latest weapon against lionfish invasion? Meet the Roomba of the sea.

If you can’t beat them, eat them. That is the common wisdom of many scientists, conservationists, and fishermen who dream of ridding the western Atlantic of invasive lionfish, a stunning aquarium fish that, when introduced in the wild, dominates and destroys reef ecosystems. However, catching lionfish has never been simple; they are not easily targeted by line or net fishing. Now, a surprising new invention may bring lionfish hunting to the masses and help clear the seas of this invader: a submersible robot.

With its striking stripes, diaphanous fins, and mane of colorful but poisonous spines, the exotic

Reef Roomba to the rescue  Lionfish. It’s what’s for dinner.  

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from The Christian Science Monitor

The Christian Science Monitor3 min read
A Primer On Climate Change That Tackles Both Hope And Despair
The letter C might be for Climate Change. But it is also for Complicated. And Challenging.  Such is the take-away from “H Is for Hope: Climate Change From A to Z.” This alphabetical collection of essays, written by Elizabeth Kolbert and vividly illus
The Christian Science Monitor4 min readWorld
Israeli Protesters Are Back On Their Feet. Missing Is A Unified Voice.
At the intersection of Tel Aviv’s Kaplan and Begin streets, some demonstrators were putting up posters that called for immediate elections. Thousands of others, wrapped in Israeli flags or beating drums, listened to a speaker urging the military cons
The Christian Science Monitor2 min read
Charting The Rise Of Plastic Pollution – And Solutions
Plastic is nearly everywhere.  Scientists have detected microplastics from the peak of Mount Everest and the depths of the Marianas Trench to the air we breathe and the water we drink. The challenge for humanity, then, is how to clean up our own mess

Related Books & Audiobooks