click to enlarge Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

David Garrett of Ormond Beach, Florida, has removed a whopping 684 fish so far as part of Florida's Lionfish Challenge Garrett, a commercial fisherman and scuba diver, has reached the top of the ranks since the competition started in May. The second place contestant has brought in 374 so far.The lionfish is a spiny, venomous invasive species that disrupts native Floridian fish habitats. There have been multiple attempts and initiatives to reduce the amount of the fish species in Florida, including our favorite: by eating them. Whole Foods both sells the fish and teaches customers how to cook them, and DeLand restaurant Cress often puts lionfish on the menu as a special.Though Garrett is far in the lead, the competition will continue until Sept. 30. Participants need only to capture 50 lionfish to enter.