Apex Predator Lionfish Derby

Apex Predator Lionfish Derby – 2026

The Hunt Expands. The Mission Continues.

The Apex Predator Lionfish Derby returns in May 2026 with an expanded format that opens participation to personal boats, and multiple dive outfitters as well as expanded hunt areas. This two-day conservation-focused tournament brings together the dive community to combat one of the greatest threats to Florida’s reefs — invasive lionfish.

 

Event Dates & Times

 

Apex Predator Open (Two Day Derby):

Tournament Start: Saturday, May 30, 2026 – 7:00AM

Tournament End: Sunday, May 31, 2026 – 4:00 PM

Awards: Sunday, May 31, 2026 – 5:00 PM

 

The Mini (Single Dive Derby):

Tournament Start: Saturday, May 30, 2026 – 8:00AM

Tournament End: Saturday, May 30, 2026 – 1:30 PM

Awards: Saturday, May 30, 2026 – 1:00 PM

 

Tournament Format

 

Apex Predator Open (2 Day Derby)

The Main Apex Predator Lionfish Derby runs both Saturday and Sunday and is open to:

•         Personal boats

•         Divers using their own selected dive outfitters

Divers will compete in teams of two to remove as many lionfish as possible. Each participant will receive a commemorative Apex Predator challenge coin as well as a large mesh dive bag. Participants may hunt anytime between daylight Saturday morning and 4:00 PM Sunday, submitting fish for official measure and count on Sunday. Hunters may hunt anywhere in Florida but all fish must be presented during the official count and measure ceremony on Sunday May 30th for the fish to count.

 

Mini Derby – South Florida Diving Headquarters

In addition to the main derby, a Mini Derby will be hosted at South Florida Diving Headquarters. Participants will board a chartered dive boat and head out to designated dive sites to hunt. Divers will compete in teams of two to remove as many lionfish as possible during a two tank dive. Each participant will receive a commemorative Apex Predator challenge coin as well as a large mesh dive bag. If you need rental gear and/or tanks please contact South Florida Diving Headquarters directly. 954-783-2299

•         Single-boat, single-dive tournament (Saturday Morning)

•         Participation limited to divers on the chartered boat

•         Mini Derby awards at approximately 1:30 PM Saturday

•         All fish caught during the Mini derby will be counted toward the Apex Predator Open Derby totals if the participant has registered for both derbies.

 

Packet Pickup & Check-In

All participants for the Apex Predator Open must attend packet pickup and check-in on Saturday morning in Pompano Beach or virtually at a Friday night MS Teams meeting.

This applies to both Main Derby and Mini Derby participants.

 

Awards & Scoring

Apex Predator Open Awards

Main Derby awards will be presented Sunday at 5:00 PM following the official close of the tournament. Fish will be turned in in Pompano Beach.

Categories:

1.      Most Lionfish Caught: $300 cash prize

2.      Largest Lionfish: $200 cash prize

3.      Smallest Lionfish: $100 cash prize

 

 

Mini Derby Awards

Mini Derby awards will be presented Saturday at roughly 1:00 PM following completion of the single dive.

This derby will happen on a chartered boat with South Florida Diving Headquarters. Your Registration includes entry on the boat but participants must provide their own dive gear. If you need rental gear and/or tanks please contact South Florida Diving Headquarters directly. 954-783-2299

Categories:

1.      Most Lionfish Caught: $150 cash prize

2.      Largest Lionfish: $100 cash prize

3.      Smallest Lionfish: $50 cash prize

 

 

Final Notes

• Tournament rules, safety requirements, and scoring details will be provided prior to the event

• All participants must complete packet pickup and check-in to be eligible for awards

• Conservation, safety, and sportsmanship are core expectations of the Apex Predator series

 

Join us and help protect Florida’s reefs while competing in the 2026 Apex Predator Lionfish Derby.

Apex Predator Challenge: Lionfish Derby Rules

 

1. Eligibility

• All participants must be certified scuba divers and over the age of 12. Participants under the age of 18 must have parental or guardian consent and be accompanied by an adult.
• Each team must consist of two divers. Both team members must be registered to participate in the event.
   

2. Registration and Entry

• All participants must pre-register for the event.
• Participants must provide their own dive gear. If gear rental is required, participants must arrange it directly with the dive shop.
   

3. Dive and Safety Requirements

• All participants must follow safe diving practices and comply with local diving laws and regulations.
• Participants must follow all instructions from dive boat captains and safety officers.
• Each diver must have and use a dive knife, lionfish containment device, and collection gear.
• It is the responsibility of each diver to monitor their own air supply, depth, and dive time to avoid decompression illness or any other dive-related risks.
   

4. Lionfish Handling

• All lionfish must be captured using hand nets, spears, or pole spears. The use of chemicals, traps, or other non-permitted gear is strictly prohibited.
• Lionfish should be handled with care due to their venomous spines. Participants are encouraged to wear protective gloves and follow best practices for safely removing lionfish from the water.
• Coolers must be properly labelled with captain or team names and must contain enough ice to keep lionfish cold for as long as they are held at drop-off station.
   

5. Count and Measure Procedures

• All lionfish must be presented at the official count and measure station by the designated time. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Lionfish must be intact for count and measurement. Any mutilated or damaged lionfish (determined at the discretion of event staff) will be disqualified.
• Each team will present their catch for three prize categories: Most Lionfish, Largest Lionfish, and Smallest Lionfish.
   

6. Prize Categories

• Most Lionfish
• Largest Lionfish
• Smallest Lionfish
   

7. Disqualification

Teams will be disqualified for:

• Failure to follow safety guidelines and dive protocols.
• Using non-approved lionfish capture methods or gear.
• Falsifying weigh-in results or attempting to weigh in lionfish caught outside of the challenge timeframe. No previously caught lionfish are allowed.
• Engaging in unsafe or unsportsmanlike conduct during the event.
   

8. Environmental Impact

• Participants are encouraged to minimize their environmental impact. Do not damage coral reefs or other marine life during the capture of lionfish.
• All lionfish removed from the water are to be either consumed or disposed of according to local environmental guidelines. No lionfish should be released back into the ocean.
   

9. Judging and Awards

• Only one winning entry per team will be allowed in each category. A single team is not allowed to win multiple categories.  
• In the event of a tie for any category the prize money will be split between teams, unless one of these teams has won a different category, in which case the team winning a different category will be awarded that prize.
• Judging will be conducted at the official weigh-in station, and decisions by the judges are final.
• Awards will be given at the end of the weigh-in session. Participants must be present to receive their awards.
   

10. Weather and Event Cancellation

• In the case of severe weather, the Event Organizers reserve the right to postpone, reschedule, or cancel the event for safety reasons. Participants will be notified of any changes.

 

11. : Use of Underwater Propulsion Devices (Scooters/DPVs)

• Participants are permitted to use underwater propulsion devices, such as diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) or scooters, during the derby.
• Participants are required to declare their use of a scooter/DPV at check-in.
• Tournament officials reserve the right to inspect diver gear before and after dives to verify compliance.
• Any unreported use of a scooter/DPV will result in disqualification.
   
   

General Rules:

• Have fun, stay safe, and contribute to the removal of this invasive species!
• Always follow local regulations and guidelines related to scuba diving, boating and lionfish capture.
• Always respect and honor the captains of the dive boats.

 

 

Apex Predator Open (2 Day Derby): Mesh Dive Bag

Apex Predator Mini Derby (Half Day Derby): Mesh Dive Bag

Apex Predator Open & Mini Derby: Mesh Dive Bag