For the first time since lionfish were spotted in the Florida Keys in 2009, scientists have determined how many there are and how quickly the invasive species is taking over -- and the numbers are staggering.</p><p>In the latest Bulletin of Marine Science released Friday, scientists say that in 2010, researchers estimated there were 89,000 lionfish in the Keys.</p><p>In 2011, those estimates increased to 335,000 fish -- likely a conservative estimate since lionfish hide in the reef, according to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary staff.</p><p>Lionfish have been present in low numbers along the east coast of Florida since the 1980s, but were not reported in the Florida Keys until three years ago.</p><p>"Lionfish are voracious predators and are most likely having impacts on native fish species, disrupting the ecology of the area they invade," said Ben Ruttenberg, fishery biologist with NOAA Fisheries. "Lionfish have no natural predators in their invaded range in the Caribbean and Atlantic. With long-term monitoring, we will be able to document and understand the ecosystem impacts of this invasive predator."</p><p>Scientists continue to ask the public to help. When people see or catch a lionfish off the Florida Keys they can visit www.reef.org/lionfish and report the sighting.</p><p>The U.S. Geological Survey, working with Reef Environmental Education Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, maintains the database for lionfish sightings. Scientists continue to ask the public to help.</p><p>The Bulletin of Marine Science is published by the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami.