Eat the invaders: Conservation hunters

By Kieron Monks, for CNN

Updated 1358 GMT (2158 HKT) September 6, 2016

Lionfish have swarmed the U.S. East Coast, wiping out local species. The good news is, they taste great in sushi form.
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Lionfish have swarmed the U.S. East Coast, wiping out local species. The good news is, they taste great in sushi form.
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Feral pigs are believed to cause over $50 million worth of damage each year in the U.S. But people in the southern states know they taste pretty good on the barbecue.
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Feral pigs are believed to cause over $50 million worth of damage each year in the U.S. But people in the southern states know they taste pretty good on the barbecue.
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An aggressive Eurasian species of garlic mustard has spread across the U.S. Turn it into pesto, though, and it makes for delicious pasta.
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An aggressive Eurasian species of garlic mustard has spread across the U.S. Turn it into pesto, though, and it makes for delicious pasta.
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The invasive Asian carp is a threat to native species in the Great Lakes states. Luckily, local fishermen have found it tastes great fried with Cajun spices.
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The invasive Asian carp is a threat to native species in the Great Lakes states. Luckily, local fishermen have found it tastes great fried with Cajun spices.
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The bullfrog has colonized much of the planet. It's highly prized for its succulent legs.
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The bullfrog has colonized much of the planet. It's highly prized for its succulent legs.
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The Japanese weed Kudzu is highly invasive. It works well in a creamy, mozzarella-based quiche.
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The Japanese weed Kudzu is highly invasive. It works well in a creamy, mozzarella-based quiche.
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The cannonball jellyfish is a popular salad ingredient in Asia, and is now turning up on menus in its adopted home of North America.
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The cannonball jellyfish is a popular salad ingredient in Asia, and is now turning up on menus in its adopted home of North America.
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The European green crab has devastated native species in the U.S. Note to chefs: It's delicious stir-fried or in soups.
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The European green crab has devastated native species in the U.S. Note to chefs: It's delicious stir-fried or in soups.
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Rusty crayfish has spread north from the Ohio region, displacing local crayfish, but can be eaten the same way -- and they taste just as good.
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Rusty crayfish has spread north from the Ohio region, displacing local crayfish, but can be eaten the same way -- and they taste just as good.
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invasive lionfishferal boargarlic mustardAsian carpinvasive bullfrogkudzucannonball jellyfishgreen crabrusty crayfish

Story highlights

  • Invasive species cause over $100 billion damage each year in the U.S.
  • Invasivores are hunting and eating them to protect native species and ecosystems

(CNN)When the marine invasion started, the U.S. was taken by surprise -- and overrun.

Today, the lionfish enjoys virtually unrivaled supremacy in its ever-expanding territory from the East Coast to the Caribbean. The distinctively striped interloper from the Pacific has few predators willing to face its venomous spines, and a devastating appetite.
    Lionfish can reduce native species populations by 90% within weeks of arrival, decimating many useful species such as fish that feed on coral-damaging algae. They consume enough to become obese, and even resort to cannibalism.
      These voracious predators are spreading rapidly -- female lionfish release two million eggs a year -- leaving conservationists with an uphill struggle to contain their numbers and preserve threatened ecosystems.

      Taking the fight to the dinner table

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      In Florida, where lionfish have massively disrupted the fishing industry, locals are fighting back by eating them.
      The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has led a campaign to put lionfish on menus, encouraging fishermen and traders to participate. Environmental group Reef organizes lionfish derbies to catch as many as possible, and has released a lionfish recipe book.
      REEF lionfish derby in Florida
      REEF lionfish derby in Florida
      Dozens of local restaurants have begun serving the new arrival in the form of ceviche and sushi among other dishes, although demand has yet to match supply.
      Conservation biologist Joe Roman believes this approach can make a difference.
      "We have seen some impact and evidence of populations declining," says Roman, citing the example of Cuba where the government have encouraged the harvesting of lionfish.
      Since 2003, Roman has helped to pioneer the "invasivore" movement through his popular website 'Eat the invaders,' offering information and recipes to help offset the disastrous impact of i