• that every Lionfish is caught – 1 by 1 – by spear by certified Lionfish hunters?
• that Lionfish is venomous and NOT poisonous. So the fish is perfect to eat, but you do not want to get stung by the spines, because that hurts like…!
• that Lionfish is – by far – the most expensive ‘ingredient’ that Cactus Blue handles? And that it is about 8(!) times the price of Tuna!
• that the fish is light, tender, moist, and has a mild taste reminiscent of Mediterranean Sea bass? It is not a flaky meat, but quite firm, and the white, buttery meat lends itself to any number of different recipes and has a good bite.
• that Lionfish reproduce at an incredibly high rate? They become sexually mature in their first year and females can spawn 4,000 to 30,000 eggs every week.
• that Lionfish are masters in adaptation? They are warm-water & saltwater fish, but they can adapt to cold water and fresh water over time.
• that Chef Tham has served the delicious Lionfish for over 8 years every day without exception? It is also the only place on Bonaire serving it for lunch until the daily supply runs out.
• that Cactus Blue Food Truck sells out the Lionfish every day? Sometimes in 30 minutes, sometimes in 3 hours, depending on supply & demand. So you can always ask if we still have it.
• that by now, approximately 80% of our guests’ first question is: “Do you still have Lionfish today?”
• that Chef Tham always informs people that the only moment to be sure to get the Lionfish is at 11 in the morning? However that can never be a promise as Cactus Blue depends on the supply of her divers. Chef Tham can only sell what she gets delivered!
• that Lionfish are smart fish? Once hunted and missed, they begin to avoid divers (bubbles) and hide under rocks or swim away.
• that Lionfish live between 1 and 1000 feet? As they tend to go deeper it also makes them harder to find/catch.
• that Lionfish availability – at dive-depth (40m / 120ft) – is scarce, which is good for Bonaire’s reefs and marine life and, at the same time quite the challenge for our little food truck.
• that BEYOND dive-depth (40m / 120ft and deeper) Lionfish are abundant, so we have to continue fighting this invasive species. As soon as we stop actively hunting & killing them, they will simply come up again from the deep.
• that cleaning the Lionfish – due to its venomous spines – is tricky if you don’t know the drill.
• that after cleaning a Lionfish only about 1 quarter of the fish is left over as fillet?
• that every served piece of Lionfish goes through Chef Thams’ hands personally to double-check that the fillets are bone-free and that only immaculate pieces of fish make it to the Lionfish Burgers?
• that – by weight – Lionfish fillet is costlier than the most expensive tenderloin meat?
• that Cactus Blue Food Truck has a dedicated team of about 25 Lionfish hunters that supply the Lionfish?
• that every Lionfish hunter on Bonaire is only allowed to use an ‘ELF’ spear from Stinapa and that they have to sign a written agreement to get it?
• that ‘ELF’ is short for ‘Eliminate Lion Fish’?
• that all of the above determine this fish’s fillet’s (high) price?
• that the battle with the Lionfish is one we will not likely win?
• that Cactus Blue Food Truck opened its doors in 2012 by the first owner on Atlantis Kite-beach? And Chef Tham has been the longest owner of the truck now, since 2016.
• that Chef Tham is from the Netherlands and moved to Bonaire in April 2013?
• that you will find the best live music entertainment on Bonaire at Eddy’s Bar & Restaurant by a local guy called TAFKAH – The Artist. Every Tuesday: 7pm – 9pm. Reservation is strongly recommended. Ask Chef Tham or Host Harry about it!

 

Cactus Blue Bonaire Food Truck – Donkey Beach, divesite #37 (Corporal Meiss)
Open for lunch only: Monday to Friday, 11 am – 3 pm
CASH (USD) ONLY