The Challenge
The spread of invasive alien species is a critical threat to marine biodiversity, disrupting ecosystem balance and preying on native fish populations. In the South Aegean Sea, the invasive lionfish has rapidly expanded endangering all other species. While scientific monitoring is ongoing, the lack of public awareness and low social acceptance of the lionfish as a safe food source remains a major barrier. Addressing this behavioral gap is essential to turn the lionfish from an environmental threat into a sustainable seafood alternative that relieves pressure on overfished native species.
The Solution
This project promotes “eating the problem” as a sustainable conservation strategy through a high-visibility public event. By organizing a large-scale cooking demonstration in a public Santorini venue the initiative proves that the lionfish is not only safe but a delicious alternative to native, overfished species. Linked to the European Horizon project GuardIAS, the project leverages a network of volunteers to bridge the gap between scientific research and everyday consumer habits. This behavior-change approach uses culinary education to generate measurable evidence of attitude shifts, providing a replicable model for managing invasive species across the Cyclades.
Activities
With the support of the Cyclades Preservation Fund, the University of the Aegean will:
- Organize a large-scale public cooking event to promote the culinary value and safety of the invasive lionfish.
- Develop and distribute educational materials translating scientific knowledge into accessible content for the general public.
- Administer a participant questionnaire to measure baseline awareness and post-event behavior-change intentions.
- Implement local and regional media outreach to amplify messages of sustainable seafood choices across the island.
- Collaborate with local chefs and hospitality actors to integrate lionfish into Santorini’s sustainable menus.
About the Grantees
The University of the Aegean is a regional research leader with extensive experience in marine ecology, biodiversity conservation, and managing invasive species policy.
What You Can Do
- Choose lionfish when you dine out to help create a sustainable market for its removal.
- Advocate for sustainable seafood choices in your community to help protect native marine biodiversity.
- Order a lionfish for your meal/ dinner, take a photo, raise awareness by tagging @cycladespreservationfund along with the following hashtags #EatLionfish #EatTheProblem
- Donate to the Cyclades Preservation Fund and help us expand our support to local initiatives across the islands of Cyclades and the Aegean
SDGs
CPF’s grants support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This grant specifically supports:
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – The project directly supports the management of invasive species to restore balance to marine ecosystems and protect native life.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – By promoting an alternative seafood source, the project encourages more sustainable and eco-friendly consumer habits.
