REEF Fish & Friends - "Dolphin Cognition Research in the Florida Keys"

Abby Haddock, Dolphin Research Center
2/14/2023 6:15pm to 8:00pm EST
REEF Campus, 98300 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037

Thanks for your interest in REEF Fish & Friends! We are pleased to welcome our February 2023 speaker, Abby Haddock, of Dolphin Research Center.

Abby and the team at Dolphin Research Center are designing studies and research games to better understand the mental processes and intelligence of bottlenose dolphins. She will discuss the study of cognition research, training and testing, and why it is important for us to learn more about the complex minds of cetaceans.

REEF Fish & Friends - "Enhancing Long-term Survival and Sustainability of Coral Reefs"

Dr. Andy Bruckner, NOAA
3/14/2023 6:15pm to 8:00pm EDT
REEF Campus, 98300 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037

Thanks for your interest in REEF Fish & Friends! We are pleased to welcome our March 2023 speaker, Dr. Andy Bruckner, Research Coordinator for NOAA at Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Andrew Bruckner is a coral reef ecologist working to understand stressors affecting coral reefs while identifying ways to address these challenges. He began his initial research in Jamaica in the 1980s, and since then he has conducted research on reefs worldwide. Andy will discuss his work, including the holistic approach to reef restoration in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Lionfish Jewelry Workshop - April 6, 2023

4/6/2023 7:00pm to 8:30pm EDT
REEF Campus, 98300 Overseas Hwy. Key Largo, FL 33037

A fish as beautiful as it is destructive; invasive lionfish have dramatically impacted marine ecosystems due to their high reproductive rate and voracious appetites. These visually stunning fish have characteristic red and white stripes and long, fanlike spines and fins.

$35.00
Advance registration is required! Please follow the instructions below to reserve your space by March 27.

REEF Fish & Friends - "Studying Reef Fish Ecology in the Florida Keys to Better Plan for the Future"

Drew Butkowski, Ph.D. Candidate at Florida International University
4/11/2023 6:15pm to 8:00pm EDT
REEF Campus, 98300 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037

Thanks for your interest in REEF Fish & Friends! We are pleased to welcome our April 2023 speaker, Drew Butkowski, Ph.D. candidate at Florida International University. 

Drew studies coral reef fish behavior and ecology in the Florida Keys. He will discuss the effects of artificial reefs on nearby natural reefs, grouper foraging behavior, and how reefs and seagrasses are connected. He'll also highlight the need to better understand reef fish ecology to improve marine resource management.

REEF Fish & Friends - "Taking Action Against Plastic Pollution"

Catherine Uden, Oceana
5/9/2023 6:15pm to 8:00pm EDT
REEF Campus, 98300 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037

Thanks for your interest in REEF Fish & Friends! We are pleased to welcome our May 2023 speaker, Catherine Uden, Field Representative of Oceana.

Catherine works on US federal policies to protect the world’s oceans, including fisheries laws, North Atlantic right whale protections, offshore drilling legislation, and a bill to ban the sale and trade of shark fins in the US. She also helps pass legislation to reduce single-use plastics on the local, state, and federal levels. She will discuss plastic pollution and how Floridians can take action.

REEF Fish & Friends - "Coral Reef Sponge Research and Restoration"

Bobbie Renfro, Ph.D. Candidate at Florida State University
6/13/2023 6:15pm to 8:00pm EDT
REEF Campus, 98300 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037

Thanks for your interest in REEF Fish & Friends! We are pleased to welcome our June 2023 speaker, Bobbie Renfro, Ph.D. candidate at Florida State University.

Bobbie will dive into the ecology of the strange and beautiful sponges that live on our Florida Keys reefs. She will share the preliminary results of her work on how nutrients affect these animals, and how these important filter feeders can be restored on reefs that have been damaged by storms.

REEF Fish & Friends - "The Caribbean Spiny Lobster Super Bug"

Tom Matthews, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission
7/11/2023 6:15pm to 8:00pm EDT
REEF Campus, 98300 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037

Thanks for your interest in REEF Fish & Friends! We are pleased to welcome our July 2023 speaker, Tom Matthews, Lobster Research Scientist at Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission.

It's almost lobster season in the Florida Keys, and there's no better time to learn more about one of South Florida's most popular crustaceans! Tom will discuss the complex life history of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster, their communication style, and their importance to local ecosystems.

REEF Fish & Friends - "Introduction to Fish Portraits"

Stacey Henderson, REEF
8/8/2023 6:15pm to 8:00pm EDT

Thanks for your interest in REEF Fish & Friends! We are pleased to welcome our August 2023 speaker, Stacey Henderson, Program Services Coordinator at REEF.

Stacey will share tips and tricks for taking your best underwater photos. No matter what camera you are using, or whether you consider yourself a beginner or expert photographer, there is something for everyone. As a well-versed underwater photographer, Stacey will discuss composition, lighting, and most importantly, how to get your keeper shot!