Invasive lionfish are affecting reef ecosystems along the Gulf Coast and Caribbean. By establishing commercial fisheries and harvesting lionfish in mass, it may be possible to reduce their ecological footprint in the region. Nonetheless, there has been little research assessing the viability of a consumer market for lionfish meat. Using data collected in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), this study examines individuals’ willingness to participate in a hypothetical market for lionfish meat and their potential consumption levels. Consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for lionfish meat is also estimated. Findings suggest that individuals’ market participation and consumption levels are correlated with concerns for food safety and the environment, and consumer WTP is compatible with dockside prices of other species of reef fish. These findings suggest that a latent demand structure for lionfish meat may already exist in the USVI and that the prospect of a commercial fishery is worth additional exploration.

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利用市场控制入侵物种：美属维尔京群岛的狮子鱼

入侵的狮子鱼正在影响墨西哥湾沿岸和加勒比地区的珊瑚礁生态系统。通过建立商业渔业和大量捕捞狮子鱼，有可能减少它们在该地区的生态足迹。尽管如此，很少有研究评估狮子鱼肉消费市场的可行性。本研究使用在美属维尔京群岛 (USVI) 收集的数据，考察了个人参与假想的狮子鱼肉市场的意愿及其潜在消费水平。还估计了消费者对狮子鱼肉的支付意愿（WTP）。调查结果表明，个人的市场参与度和消费水平与对食品安全和环境的关注相关，消费者支付意愿与其他珊瑚鱼品种的码头价格兼容。