March 4, 2015

Dr. Jane Lubchenco

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room 5128
Washington, DC 20230
Dear Dr. Lubchenco,
The purpose of this letter is to show you a process document I have developed. A process
document is designed to guide an audience through a process as seamlessly as possible. The
intended audience is high school goth kids. The process explained is how the lionfish has
become an invasive species in the Atlantic Ocean. I believe the NOAA's knowledge of this topic,
as well as my further research and technical writing abilities, can convey this topic to the goth
kids in a simple, efficient manner.
The lionfish was once native to only the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. Since the early 2000s,
however, it has populated many regions of the Atlantic coastline, from Bermuda to as far as
Long Island, New York. There are multiple reasons for this invasion. It is believed pet aquarium
lionfish were originally discarded in southern Atlantic waters. The Gulf Stream current spread
them out. Due to the lionfish's carnivorous nature and its protective venomous spines, it has few
predators, and it has begun to disrupt Atlantic reef communities, squeezing out important native
species.
By reaching out this audience and educating them on this process, it will educate goth kids about
invasive species, how they can prevent and take action to slow invasions, and learn more about
the NOAA. Enclosed is a copy of the process document. I appreciate you taking the time to read
it. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email at
ndt79232@[Link] or by phone at 267-227-2625.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Tate

Lionfish Invasions in the Atlantic Ocean

The lionfish is a demon in disguise - it seems harmless, but it can actually deliver a painful sting
with its venomous spines. It is native to coral reefs in the tropical waters of the South Pacific and
Indian Oceans1,

Despite its violent nature, the lionfish is a popular saltwater aquarium fish in the United States but it's no longer limited to aquariums. It can now be found all over the Atlantic. It didn't get
there by some supernatural occurrence, though - the lionfish is what we call an invasive species.

What is an Invasive Species?

Let's start with a real-life example. Suppose your group of friends is hanging out at school before
class. You all like the band Joy Division and wearing black, vintage clothing.
Now, suppose one of your friends has befriended someone who is the total opposite of your
group's personality. She likes to wear bright clothing and listens to pop music. Her and your
friend have been spending a lot of time together. Before you know it, your friend starts to favor
bright, poppy band t-shirts instead of his Joy Division tee. He starts listening to her music. To
your dismay, you realize her personality starts rubbing off on your other friends. This girl has
invaded your group.
Plants, animals, and microscopic organisms coexist in "groups" - natural communities known as
ecosystems- as well. When a non-native plant, animal, or organism is introduced into the

Jessica Wurzbacher, The Lionfish Invasion, [Link]

(accessed March 2, 2015).

ecosystem, it can cause economic or environmental harm2. Certain species can become
invasive - like the girl invading your friend group.
The lionfish hasn't been an invasive species forever. In fact, most invasive species are a result of
human activities3 (which shouldn't be that surprising). The lionfish is no different. Its growth into
an invasive species is the result of a gradual process.

The Lionfish Invasion Process

Lionfish are
dumped into
the ocean.

Action is
needed to
control
lionfish
expansion.

Ocean
currents help
them travel.

The lionfish
population
expands.

Lionfish have
few
predators in
the Atlantic.

Lionfish are Dumped Into the Ocean

Remember when you cried profusely because your parents said you couldn't keep your pet
anymore and made you set it "free" into the wild? Although the cause is unknown, most

Jessica Wurzbacher, The Lionfish Invasion, [Link]

(accessed March 2, 2015).
3
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA National Ocean Service Education: Lionfish Discovery
Story, [Link] (accessed March 2, 2015).

scientists believe lionfish have been released into the ocean for as long as 25 years - all because
people no longer wanted them as pets.

Ocean Currents Help Them Travel

Local divers off the Carolina coast found the first solid evidence that lionfish were in the Atlantic
in August 2002. One year later, 19 lionfish sightings were recorded off the North Carolina coast.
NOAA scientists decided to get involved. They found 155 lionfish at 19 different locations4 on a
2004 North Carolina research expedition.
Simultaneously, reports of lionfish sightings showed up in Florida, Georgia, Bermuda and even
as far north as Long Island, New York. How did the lionfish get so far so quickly?
The swift and warm Gulf Stream current is to blame - it most likely transported lionfish eggs
from Florida northward5. Baby lionfish were also spotted - they were smaller than the ones sold
as pets. These clues strongly indicate that the lionfish is reproducing in the Atlantic Ocean and
shows no signs of stopping.

Lionfish Have Few Predators in the Atlantic

The Atlantic Ocean is a drastically different habitat than the lionfish's native waters in the South
Pacific and Indian Oceans. How have they stayed there for so long?
Let's go back to the real-life example. There's a reason why none of your friends want the girl to
leave. She has a bubbly, infectious personality. She's welcoming and always compliments your
friends. It may not look like it, but this is creating a barrier that prevents her from leaving the
group. Why would your friends want her to leave your group, now that she's a big part of it?
The same goes for the lionfish, except its barrier is much more dangerous to the Atlantic
community: no one really wants to eat it. Even large predators, like sharks, are deterred by its
spiny build, and for good reason. In addition to the painful sting from their spines, they can cause
headaches, vomiting, and respiratory distress6.
The lionfish is also a carnivore. Lionfish are ambush predators and may use their fan-like fins to
"corner" their prey - small crustaceans and fish.

The Lionfish Population Spreads

4

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA National Ocean Service Education: Lionfish Discovery
Story, [Link] (accessed March 2, 2015).
5
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA National Ocean Service Education: Lionfish Discovery
Story, [Link] (accessed March 2, 2015).
6
Jo Tuckman, Lionfish Boom Threatens Atlantic Ecosystem,
[Link] (accessed
March 2, 2015).

Lionfish pose high risks to Atlantic reef communities because of their seemingly unstoppable
nature. They are capable of disrupting community balance, just like the girl in our example.
(except the girl is thankfully not venomous and spiny). Scientists are concerned that lionfish
could take the place of important native Atlantic species, squeezing them out.

Action is Needed
Can we stop the invasion entirely? Short answer: no.
Long answer: Scientists are certain that the lionfish boom cannot be reversed. It would be
highly impractical and cost astronomical amounts of money to conduct a large-scale mission to
remove existing lionfish from U.S. Atlantic waters. What can be done instead?
Scientists have offered a four-step system to try and control the current lionfish population7.
1. Track the lionfish.
Before anything is done, we need to make sure the
lionfish population is actually still growing.

2. Research more.
Thorough research will help determine how the
lionfish reproduces in the Atlantic Ocean.
3. Educate others.
The public needs to know that releasing aquarium fish into
bodies of water is harmful and dangerous. They should be
encouraged to report lionfish sightings and exercise caution
when handling them.

4. Make regulations to control invasive species.

While somewhat of a last resort, proper legislation can be
effective in reducing the risk of aquarium releases. For example,
Bermuda passed legislation that limits the imports of non-native
species.

Both scientists and the public can help control and slow the growth of the lionfish population if
this system is successfully implemented. With time, we might start seeing more lionfish in
aquariums than in the Atlantic Ocean.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA National Ocean Service Education: Lionfish Discovery
Story, [Link] (accessed March 2, 2015).

Works Cited
Linendoll, Katie. "Lionfish Infestation in Atlantic Ocean a Growing Epidemic - [Link]." CNN.
Cable News Network, 19 Oct. 2013. Web. 02 Mar. 2015.
<[Link]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "The Lionfish Invasion!" NOAA National Ocean
Service Education: Lionfish Discovery Story. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
18 July 2012. Web. 02 Mar. 2015.
<[Link]
Tuckman, Jo. "Lionfish Boom Threatens Atlantic Ecosystems." Lionfish Boom Threatens Atlantic
Ecosystems. The Guardian, 26 July 2010. Web. 2 Mar. 2015.
<http%3A%2F%[Link]%2Fenvironment%2F2010%2Fjul%2F26%2Flionfish
-boom-threatens-atlantic-ecosystem>.
Wurzbacher, Jessica. "The Lionfish Invasion." The Lionfish Invasion. Sailors for the Sea, Sept. 2011.
Web. 01 Mar. 2015. <[Link]

Process Document
Name:
Cover Letter

Audience
Research

Clarity of
Sequence

Generic
Conventions;
Proof of
Editing; and
Submission

Letter is written to a real person working

within the industry or organization you
selected. Letter articulates intrinsic and
extrinsic needs of reader. Letter describes
its purpose clearly and unambiguously.
Generic conventions/formatting of letter
are followed. The letter is copyedited.
Enclosures are indicated in the letter.
Language of the process document is
appropriate for selected audience.
Document is footnoted so that cited
information is clearly present without
interfering with the visual aesthetics of the
document.
Document describes a complete process
with at least 5 components. Document
transitions into and out of each step in the
sequence in ways that increase ease of
reading for the target audience.
Document conforms to the generic
conventions of a process. Document is
professionally edited for consistency.
Document is professional with respect to
language and visual elements. Letter and
Document is submitted as 1 MS Word or
PDF file with proper file name.

Your Score
Score

10

10

10

10

10

50