Lionfish Invasion Reaches Gulf Marine Sanctuary

Disruptive Species Now In Louisiana Coastal Waters

Flower Garden Banks Marine Sanctuary

This photo of a lionfish was taken by divers in the Flower Garden Banks Marine Sanctuary in July. More

FLOWER GARDEN BANKS, Gulf of Mexico -- An invasive species of fish has reached the Flower Garden Banks National National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Louisiana, and officials are working to understand how serious the problem is.

Recreational divers late last month reported encounters with a lionfish on two separate occasions. They provided a photo as evidence of the discovery.

The lionfish is a "voracious indiscriminate feeder" and prolific breeder, according to marine biologists, who consider them a significant threat to natural resources throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

Marine sanctuary officials are asking all divers in the area to notify them of any lionfish sightings. They will use the reports to estimate the number of lionfish present at the banks and to gauge how quickly they are spreading.