Invasion

Invasion Description

1st Record:~60 km SE of Cape Lookout, Wreck of Naeco-Stern/NC/Atlantic Ocean (Whitfield et al. 2002). Pterois volitans is now the second most abundant species in continental shelf waters (30-40 m) off North Carolina (Whitfield et al. 2007)

Geographic Extent

off Ocracoke Inlet/NC/E of Raleigh Bay, Atlantic Ocean (2006, USNM 387797, U.S. National Museum of Natural History 2009); 8 miles off the coast of Ocracoke/NC/Atlantic Ocean (2005, Center for Aquatic Resource Studies 2009); ~80 km E of Cape Lookout, wreck of the Tarpon (US submarine)/NC/Locality Atlantic Ocean (2000, Whitfield et al. 2002);~60 km SE of Cape Lookout, Wreck of Naeco-Stern/NC/Atlantic Ocean (2000, Whitfield et al. 2002); ; ~60 km SE of Cape Lookout, Wreck of Papoose/NC/Atlantic Ocean (2001, Whitfield et al. 2002); ~30 km E of Cape Lookout, Wreck of Atlas/NC/Atlantic Ocean, (2001, Whitfield et al. 2002);) ~80 km east of Cape Fear, Lobster Wreck/NC/Atlantic Ocean (2001, Whitfield et al. 2002); 27 miles off Charleston/SC/Atlantic Ocean (2002, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Programs 2009, 32.3483 N, -79.591 W); 8 Fathom Wreck off the coast of Myrtle Beach/SC/Atlantic Ocean (2003, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2009, 33.1993 N; -77.7862 W); Snapper Banks offshore SC from Tybee Trough in North to Grand Banks in the south approx. 80 miles apart/SC/Atlantic Ocean (2000, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2009, 31.7333 N, -80.2333 W); 40 mile Bottom/GA/Atlantic Ocean (2001, Whitfield et al. 2002); 35 miles offshore from St. Simons Island/GA/Atlantic Ocean (2002, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2009); south end of Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach/FL/Atlantic Ocean (2002, Ruiz-Carus et al. 2005); offshore of Jacksonville/FL/Atlantic Ocean (2002, 29.94445 N; 80.5059 W, 45 m, 2002, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Programs 2009); Vic's Barge (Nine Mile), off Jacksonville/FL/Atlantic Ocean (30.388 N, -81.1747 W, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program2009); offshore of St. Augustine/FL/Atlantic Ocean (2002, Whitfield 2002, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2009, 29.9167 N, -81.25 W); a reef off Daytona Beach/FL/Atlantic Ocean (2002, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program 2009, 29.1754 N; -80.5944 W) );