Peter Maillis' crew out-speared six other teams, capturing 110 lionfish to walk away as the big winners of the recent Out West Hospitality Group's Lionfish Tournament and tasting event.
The Maillis team cruised away from the competition with an electric scooter, $800 and $400 in Out West Hospitality gift certificates redeemable at Traveller's Rest, the Beach House and Island Smokehouse.
Andrew Pike's crew captured the biggest and longest lionfish at 16.5 inches. They walked away with $800 and $400 in gift certificates redeemable at any Out West Hospitality restaurant.
In a surprise twist to the competition, John Andrew McKinney boosted the prize money by donating an additional $500, giving $300 to the second place team and $200 to the third place team.
The main objective of the lionfish tournament and tasting event was to familiarize the public with the fact that lionfish is good eating, and to have people do their part to rid Bahamian waters of the lionfish, an invasive species that is causing havoc in Bahamian waters.
Over 200 lionfish were speared during the tournament.
The Out West Hospitality Group wanted to educate the public on the numerous ways to help control the nuisance. Hundreds of Island Smokehouse guests also enjoyed nine varieties of dishes for the public to sample and vote for their favorite dish. The fan favorite on the day was lionfish prepared in lemon capers. Another crowd favorite was the lionfish peas and grits.
Other variety of lionfish dishes showcased on the day, included beer battered, smoked, broiled, curried, Cajun, and lionfish cakes.
BREEF (Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation) was on hand to demonstrate proper handling and cleaning of the lionfish.

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