Since 2013, Lionfish Invitational has fostered an alliance between scientists and citizens. By facilitating 4-night research trips into the Gulf of Mexico and Flower Garden Banks Nat’l Marine Sanctuary, they actively assist with the conservation of existing coral reefs and the monitoring of new habitats created by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Artificial Reef Program (TPWD).

The trip fee for 2026 is $1,100, and chosen applicants will be notified on March 15th. Trip dates for 2026 are: June 21-25; July 26-30; and September 6-10.

Targeted lionfish removals from the Sanctuary began in 2013. Under a federal permit, the group continues to spear lionfish, which are measured and weighed, submitted for fin clippings (DNA samples and Ciguatera testing) and fillet samples, then frozen for later dissection and gut content analysis. Fish surveys of native populations are compiled to determine distribution and effects of lionfish.

TPWD will conduct roving fish surveys, benthic surveys, and water collection for eDNA sampling. Initiatives include the collection of fin and tissue samples from lionfish for genetic analysis and ciguatera testing, and the measurement of water quality parameters for each artificial reef site.