Scientists and divers have come together in Placencia, Belize to remove lionfish from the ocean in a bid to tackle the invasive species.

Footage from April 17 shows divers removing and capturing dozens of the lionfish who have been affecting the local ecosystem with their invasive and predatory nature.

The filmer explained: "I went on a week-long scuba diving service trip on an island off the coast of Placencia, Belize.

"About a dozen divers went out and hunted invasive lionfish every day. I was lucky enough to be one of those divers.

"There were so many lionfish, which we later cooked and ate.

"We took measurements of some of the lionfish (such as length and weight) for scientific research, and even cut open their stomachs to see what food they were eating.

"Often, the lionfish had local baby fish and shrimp in their stomachs."

I went on a week long scuba diving service trip on an island off the coast of Placencia, Belize. About a dozen divers went out and hunted invasive lionfish every day. I was lucky enough to be one of those divers. There were so many lionfish! We later cooked and ate the lionfish. We took measurements of some of the lionfish (such as length and weight) for scientific research, and even cut open their stomachs to see what food they were eating. Often, the lionfish had local baby fish and shrimp in their stomachs.