A volunteer group of Regiment divers yesterday declared war on lionfish.

The six-strong team, led by Captain Chris Gauntlett and Sergeant Major James Self, joined divers from Bermuda Ocean Explorers after reports of large numbers of the invasive species — which prey on Bermuda reef fish — close to the shore in several areas.

Capt Gauntlett, who owns Blue Water Divers at Somerset Bridge, said: “The Regiment team, some of whom have trained on their own time and at their own expense as rescue divers, were happy to help.

“The Regiment values its close ties to the community it serves and we’re glad to help to tackle this menace to our native species of fish.”

The dive was supported by Groundswell, which organises the annual summer lionfish tournament and, this year, the first winter tournament and the Lionfish Task Force.

Dive schools Dive Bermuda, owned by Mark Diel and based at Fairmont Southampton Resort, and Triangle Diving, at Bailey’s Bay, also backed the hunt.

The lionfish hunters, a ten-strong mix of SCUBA and free divers, spent most of the day off John Smith’s Bay in Smith’s, nearby Watch Hill Park and around Ordnance Island and Convict Bay in St Georges.

The Regiment team included Lance Corporals Treshun Correia and Forest Williams, Private Jon Pedro, and former Corporal Michael Sinclair.

The combined team speared ten lionfish — a good catch so close to shore.

Sgt Maj Self said: “We didn’t get as many fish as we had hoped, but it’s still a considerable number.”

Weldon Wade, of Bermuda Ocean Explorers, said: “We had a great turnout from some dedicated civilian and Regiment volunteers for three dives in the East End. The biggest catch came from the John Smith’s and Watch Hill Park dives.

“It’s worrying that we’re seeing this much lionfish activity close to shore, but we’re doing the best we can to respond to reported sightings and, as much as possible, to keep the lionfish population in check.”