Greetings REEF Friends!

This month marks the Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC), REEF's annual event that celebrates our fish survey program. In this issue of REEF-in-Brief we highlight a few of the many GAFC events that were held by our partners throughout the month of July. New REEF staff, Alecia Adamson just returned from the Field Survey to Roatan and her report is below. We are also proud to announce that REEF has facilitated the donation of lionfish collection kits to 27 dive operators in the Florida Keys. 

In other big news, after years of preparation and collaboration, REEF staff and volunteers will travel to American Samoa next month to officially launch the Fish Survey Project in the South Pacific! As part of our long-standing partnership with NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System, this effort will introduce the REEF program into Fagatele Bay NMS (FBNMS). REEF's programs already take place in the 12 other Sanctuaries in marine waters and a marine national monument, and this expansion will mark the first citizen science project to occur at all NOAA Sanctuary sites. The program in American Samoa will also serve as the launching off point for REEF's efforts in the wider South Pacific, including Fiji, French Polynesia, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. Watch for updates on this expansion in future issues of REEF-in-Brief.

Thanks to those members who have already donated, we have raised $48,000 toward our goal of $60,000 in 60 days. Because the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation is doubling all donations during this campaign, we need an additional $6,000 in donations from our members! Please help us reach our goal and donate today by contributing through our secure server online or calling REEF Headquarters at 305-852-0030. Get your donation doubled! Support from members like you ensure that REEF can continue our critical marine conservation efforts. Thank you.