Deaton film focuses on lionfish
Documentary delivers conservation message
virginvoices.com staff
Well known Virgin Islands filmmaker Paul Cater Deaton has produced a documentary titled "Lionfish, The Beautiful Outlaw.” Lionfish first appeared in Caribbean waters in the 1990s and quickly multiplied. Indigenous to the Indo-Pacific, the lionfish is a threatening predator, striped with venomous spines. Its sting can be fatal to many marine species and cause extreme pain to humans.
The half hour film focuses on the lionfish invasion. It contains interviews from well-respected experts about how lionfish can be eliminated or at least managed before ecosystems are permanently disrupted..
Deaton’s film includes footage of the stunning fish shot in various locations around the globe and waters where it has infiltrated in the Virgin Islands, Belize, Bonaire, and Key West Florida. Footage also includes the Philippines, Solomon Islands and the Egyptian Red Sea, where lionfish originated.
The film debunks some myths and offers a somewhat hopeful message. Many experts agree that natural predators such as sharks, eels, barracuda, frogfish, octopus and even lobsters can keep the lionfish population in check if we better manage marine population.
Deaton hopes his film will result in better marine conservation efforts.
"Lionfish, The Beautiful Outlaw" was shown at the Our World Underwater Film Festival in Chicago in February 2011 and on public television in the Virgin Islands. The film later aired on National Public Television in September 2011. Widespread interest in the film has expanded the project. A 60 to 90 minute version is currently in production, and a series on this subject is being discussed.
Visit the website the film's website here.
View the film here.
For more information about filmmaker Paul Cater Deaton visit here
Image of lionfish in Virgin Islands National Park waters courtesy NOAA.
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