Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival at AJ's Destin

You're invited to the 5th annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival on May 18-19, 2019 at AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar and HarborWalk Village overlooking Destin harbor. The event is FREE and open to the public and will feature family-friendly activities, art, diving and marine conservation booths, live music, fillet demonstrations, lionfish tastings, and the world's largest lionfish spearfishing tournament, the Emerald Coast Open.

Hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Tournament details:
- Pre-tournament: Feb 1 - May 15
- Tournament: May 16-19
- Location: AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar (116 Harbor Blvd, Destin)
- Weigh-in: May 19, closes at 11 a.m.
- Awards ceremony: May 19 at 3 p.m.
- Learn more and register at EmeraldCoastOpen.com.

Locals and visitors are encouraged to visit restaurants throughout Destin doing their part to help with the lionfish invasion by hosting Lionfish Restaurant Week. Visit a different local restaurant from May 10-16 to sample fresh lionfish from the Gulf of Mexico

Schedule:
May 10 | Dewey Destin Harborside
May 11 | Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House
May 12 | Rockin' Tacos
May 13 | Brotulas Seafood House & Steamer
May 14 | Jackacudas Seafood & Sushi
May 15 | Crab Trap - Destin
May 16 | AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar

Interested in sponsoring or volunteering for the event? Visit EmeraldCoastOpen.com to submit your application.

Learn more about invasive lionfish and other ways to get involved in statewide control efforts at MyFWC.com/Lionfish.

AJ'S Seafood and Oyster Bar has been serving up fresh, cold gulf cost oysters and cool libations since 1984. Dining at AJ's Seafood is a true experience to all the senses. One of the most popular events at AJ’s is watching the charter boats roll in with their daily catch. You can even cook your catch at AJ’s! If you catch it on one of our boats or any of the charter boats on the Harbor-we will be glad to serve it up your way with coleslaw and hushpuppies.