Lionfish Invasion: Humans Responsible For Infestation Of the Atlantic Oceam

A lionfish invasion is causing concern in the waters of the picturesque Bermuda as experts say potential devastation could take place through the infestation in the Atlantic Ocean.

Usually found in the South Pacific, lionfish are not native to the Atlantic Ocean. They are known for being venomous, fast reproducing and aggressive eaters who will consume anything and everything, according to CNN.

Graham Maddocks, president of Ocean Support Foundation, an organization that works with the government and research agencies to help reduce the lionfish population in Bermuda, said the infestation could wreak havoc.

"The lionfish invasion is probably the worst environmental disaster the Atlantic will ever face," Maddocks told CNN.

Lionfish currently inundate the waters of the Amazon, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean and along North Carolina's coastline. While the problem is only beginning escalate, experts are already concerned for the marine life that surrounds the lionfish, CNN reported.

With no know predators - except human beings - they can wipe out 90 percent of a reef structure, which plays an important role as a natural breakwater, minimizing wave impacts from storms such as cyclones, hurricanes or typhoons.

Marine biologists are frantically attempting to come up with solutions to curb the invasive species' destructive habits, according to WebProNews. Ecologist James Morris with the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science said this invasion have the makings of a disaster.

Morris told CNN that the lionfish has brought a "big change in biodiversity," and is the most abundant top-level predator on some coral reefs in the Atlantic. Researchers said humans, who likely owned the strange-looking fish as pets, dumped them into the Atlantic Ocean.

DNA evidence traces all lionfish in the Atlantic back to only six to eight female lionfish, which were introduced to the ocean off the coast of Florida.

Once they were in the ocean they began reproducing exponentially, producing 30,000 to 40,000 eggs every few days.

"I don't know if we can stop the lionfish invasions. This isn't a battle we can win, we can only maintain," Maddocks said. "Human beings started this problem. It is our fault they are here. We have to take responsibility and try to fix or hope we can control it."