Love It Local - 850

Please read & act - Locals helping Locals

Wander through town as our merchants host local artists, authors, and creatives, celebrating the cultural soul of our community. 🎨 Join us as we honor that legacy at the SEASIDE® Art Walk, in partnership with on Wednesday, May 27th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.

The Gulf waters are a little safer for diving and a little less invasive thanks to over 100 divers from across the United States who participated in the 2026 Emerald Coast Open. Divers at this year’s Emerald Coast Open removed more than 20,000 lionfish from the Gulf in and around the vast artificial reef system in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The lionfish tournament coincided with the Lionfish Festival at HarborWalk Village and Restaurant Week, which produced plenty of lionfish-inspired dishes.

The Emerald Coast Open includes a pre-tournament where divers harvested a total of 5,734 lionfish. The main two-day tournament earlier this month yielded 15,018 lionfish captured by divers for a total of 20,752.

Divers competed in teams for over $100,000 in cash and gear prizes provided by event partners. Categories included smallest lionfish, largest lionfish and most lionfish caught. Local restaurants also competed for best lionfish cuisine during Restaurant Week, leading up to the main tournament. Winners include:

1st Place ($10,000 prize) - Most Lionfish – DWM Off the Deep End – 2,641
1st Place ($5,000 prize) - Largest Lionfish – Lady Ray – 461 mm
1st Place ($5,000 prize) - Smallest Lionfish – Nole Mercy Spearfishing – 56 mm
Restaurant Week Winner – La Paz Restaurante & Cantina (4th Year in a Row)
Winner ($1,000 Prize) of “Guess how many lionfish will be caught?” – Trenlon Harris – Guessed: 15,014 (Actual 15,018)