Author: Carolyn Corley, Education Coordinator
Get ready to race, because registration is now open for the 7th annual REEF Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K! This event brings ocean enthusiasts all over the world together in the spirit of health, community, and conservation. From June 7–13, you can join in by getting active in celebration of World Ocean Day! You can choose your favorite activity: run, walk, hike, bike, swim, or even paddle! You can complete your 5K at your own pace and participate from anywhere in the world. For all the details and registration, visit www.REEF.org/5K.
Proceeds from the Fish Out of Water 5K support the REEF Oceans for All initiative. Oceans for All supports scholarships, programming, and outreach activities to provide ocean experiences and education for all. Visit this page to learn more.
When you register for the 5K, you'll choose to join one of five Fish Teams: Jewel Moray, Raccoon Butterflyfish, Bat Ray, Nineline Goby, or Pacific Bird Wrasse! Read more about Fish Teams here and then select your favorite team during registration! Friends, families, co-workers, or dive buddies can also team up to participate together by forming a Fish Shoal. You don't have to be on the same Fish Team as your "shoal-mates" either. Learn more about Fish Shoals here.
Registration is $55 per person through April 30. Rates increase starting May 1, so be sure to sign up early to take advantage of the early bird discount. All participants receive a limited edition 5K shirt, printable race bib, and a set of limited edition 2026 Fish Team stickers.
Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
A paper recently published in the journal Fish and Fisheries explores 70 years of visual fish census techniques, including the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project. The paper, titled "Global Analysis of Shallow Underwater Fish Observation Research: 70 Years of Progress, Persistent Geographic Biases and a Path Forward," was one output of a multi-year Working Group called CoNCENSUS. Marine ecosystems are increasingly threatened by overfishing, pollution, coastal development and climate change, underscoring the need for long-term, representative information on key fish populations and habitats to inform management and policy. Underwater fish observation techniques, such as Underwater Visual Census (UVC - which includes the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project and its Roving Diver Technique method), stereo-Baited Remote Underwater Video (stereo-BRUV), and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), all play a key role in sustaining long-term data collection. This published study included an analysis of 1443 peer-reviewed publications (1953–2023), employing natural language processing and network analysis to map the research landscape. The authors identified 15 knowledge clusters, including marine protected areas, apex predator conservation, and reef ecosystems. Their findings reveal increasing use of BRUVS and ROVs in studies of marine protected areas and subsea infrastructure, while UVC remains prevalent in shallow coral reef research. Access to this paper, and all scientific publications that include REEF data and programs, can be found at www.REEF.org/db/publications.
CoNCENSUS is short for "Advancing Standardisation of Coastal and Nearshore Demersal Fish Visual Census Techniques". REEF's Co-Executive Director, Dr. Christy Pattengill-Semmens, was part of the Working Group, which met between 2022 and 2026. The CoNCENSUS Working Group aims to enable the adoption of best practice guidelines and protocols for the collection, management, and curation of fish survey observations based on traditional and novel methodologies in order to provide recommendations on how best to utilise data from multiple methods to monitor and study coastal fish populations from local to global scales. This work was supported by the Special Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) and was led by Angus John van Wyk, a PhD candidate at Rhodes University and a Research Student at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB).
The full citation of the paper is: van Wyk, AJ, RD Stuart-Smith, JS Goetze, et al. 2026. Global Analysis of Shallow Underwater Fish Observation Research: 70 years of progress, persistent geographic biases and a path forward. Fish and Fisheries. 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.70072
Image above is Image 4 from the publication: Temporal evolution of research themes from the 1950s to 2023, illustrated as an alluvial diagram. The vertical bars represent distinct historical periods, with their width indicating the proportion of discourse during that time. The connecting flows indicate the degree of thematic continuity, with broader flows signifying themes that account for a larger proportion of discourse. Lines that remain connected over time form part of the same theme.
Author: Noa Parks, Citizen Science Coordinator
It's Derby month! Join us as we gear up for an exciting week of conservation, invasive species removal, and artistic fun! The Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival combines local art, conservation science, and education all into one, can't-miss event! Here's an idea of what to expect:
April 23 – Kick-off Party & Captain's Meeting (5–7:30 PM)
Derby teams will meet at Sharkey's Sharkbite Grill in Key Largo for the required Captain's Meeting where we'll be discussing the lionfish invasion, safe collection and handling practices, derby rules, and permitting requirements. A virtual attendance option is also available. The public is welcome and encouraged to stop by and join in on the celebration!
April 24–25 – Lionfish Hunting
From sunrise to sunset on Friday and Saturday, teams will be out on the water removing invasive lionfish from the reef. Prizes will be awarded to teams who collect the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.
April 26 – Conservation Science & Arts Festival (12–4:00 PM)
Celebrate the derby's impact at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo! This free, family-friendly festival highlights the connection between art, science, and conservation. Enjoy educational activities, interactive games, live music, lionfish scoring, fillet and dissection demonstrations, tastings, local artisan vendors, delicious food trucks, local craft beer, and the culminating Derby Awards Ceremony.
Learn more about competing in the Derby at www.REEF.org/derby and explore Festival details at www.REEF.org/LionfishFestival.
The 2026 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival is proudly supported by our premier sponsors, the Ocean Reef Conservation Foundation and the Monroe County Tourism Development Council.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Field Survey Trips Program Manager
2027–2029 REEF Field Survey Trips
We have just released the 2027 REEF Field Survey Trips schedule, along with a few trips in 2028 and 2029. We have plenty of exciting destinations planned. REEF Trips are led by marine life experts, and include diving, fish ID classes, and fun with friends. Divers, snorkelers, and families are welcome on REEF Trips. To find out more or book your space, email trips@REEF.org. We'll send you an invoice to submit a deposit to secure your space.
For individual trip details and more info, visit the links below or check out www.REEF.org/trips. REEF Trips fill up fast, so don't wait to grab a spot on your favorite destination.
If you are looking for trips in 2026, we still have spaces available on our trips to Fiji, Cuba, and the Philippines.
2027
2028
2029
Author: Mead Krowka, Education Coordinator
Students from Ransom Everglades School recently teamed up with the REEF Ocean Explorers program for an unforgettable hands-on marine science experience. The day began with an interactive classroom session at the Ocean Exploration Center where students learned the fundamentals of Caribbean tropical fish identification, including how to recognize key features, understand reef habitats, and use REEF survey materials to document marine life.
After building their fish ID skills on land, students put their knowledge to the test in the water. Equipped with slates and Volunteer Fish Survey Project paper, they headed out for a guided dive, where they spotted a variety of reef species and practiced identifying fish in their natural habitat. Seeing familiar species in the wild helped reinforce what they learned and brought the science to life.
This partnership with Ransom Everglades highlights how experiential learning can spark curiosity and deepen students' connection to the ocean. By combining classroom instruction with real-world ocean experiences, the REEF Ocean Explorers program continues to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards and citizen scientists.
Author: REEF Team
REEF's sixth annual Give BIG for the Oceans is coming on Friday, April 17, 2026 — and we want you to be part of it!
On April 17, every dollar you give will be matched dollar for dollar — up to $30,000 — thanks to a generous anonymous donor. This is a one-day-only event to support REEF's ocean conservation, citizen science, and education programs. Your support ensures that these programs continue to protect marine life and inspire action worldwide.
How It Works
One Day Only: Join the REEF community on April 17 to support our ocean conservation work.
Double Your Impact: All gifts on April 17 are matched dollar for dollar — help us reach our $10,000 goal! A $50 gift becomes $100, and a $100 gift becomes $200.
Receive a Special Gift: All who donate will receive a signed 5"x7" print of a Juvenile Batavia Spadefish, photographed and signed by REEF Co-Founder Ned DeLoach.
Ways to Give
There are so many ways to give to REEF — online, by phone at 305-852-0030, or by mailing a check to REEF, PO Box 370246, Key Largo, FL 33037. Every gift counts!
Want to make an even greater impact? Consider setting up a monthly gift to sustain REEF's ocean conservation work year-round. Every recurring donation helps us plan ahead and protect marine life for generations to come.
Save the date and get ready to make waves. Let's come together for a BIG impact on April 17! Click here to donate.
Author: Noa Parks, Citizen Science Coordinator
Our online programs are free and open to all! Check out what's coming up, and view the entire schedule of Fishinars and other online programs here.
REEF Into the Blue Book Club
Thursday, April 9, 8pm EDT
Click here to register
REEF Into the Blue Book Club will be discussing Great Tide Rising: Finding Clarity and Moral Courage in a Time of Planetary Change by Dr. Kathleen Dean Moore for the April session. Everyone is invited to join, and reading the book is not a requirement for attending the meeting.
Fishinar: Flabbergasting Flounders
Thursday, May 7, 8pm EDT
Click here to register
Join REEF's Citizen Science Programs Manager, Janna Nichols, as she shares some tips and tricks to help identify flounders in the Tropical Western Atlantic!
Author: Janna Nichols, Citizen Science Program Manager
Welcome to the Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to celebrate those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Here are achievements from January, February and March 2026.
Ultra Golden Hamlet Award
The Ultra Golden Hamlet Award is for individuals who have conducted at least 2000 surveys. Congratulations to our newest achiever! Click here to see other Ultra Golden Hamlet Award achievers.
Juvenile Hamlet Award
The Juvenile Hamlet Award is for individuals who have conducted 500 REEF surveys. Congratulations to our latest Juvenile Hamlet Club member. Click here to read more about the Juvenile Hamlet award and others who have achieved it.
100 Survey Milestone
Congratulations to those who have reached this milestone within the last three months:
- Alan Stewart
- Freja Ingelstam
- Claudia Green
- Julie Bomhals
Experience Level Advancements
REEF Experience Levels are a way for divers and snorkelers to measure their fish ID knowledge along with their surveying experience. Experience Levels are achieved by submitting a certain number of surveys and passing a fish ID test. For more info, visit www.REEF.org/experiencelevels. Let's hear it for the REEF members who have advanced an Experience Level!
All listed below are Level 2 unless otherwise noted.
California (CAL)
- Chris Huges
- Jaymee Panian
- Keith Goldman
- Lexi Galantino
Central Indo-Pacific (CIP)
- Rachael Lewus - Level 3
- Sita Angela - Levels 2 and 3
- Alex Florentin
- Antoine Larchet
- Barnabas Lelyemin
- Francis Malinosky-Rummell
- John Steenkolk
- Jules Kurtz
- Juliana Selzer
- Katherine Shieff
- Katrine Nur Audina
- Maria Ines Prieto Lago
Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (EAM)
Hawaii (HAW)
Indian Ocean / Red Sea (IORS)
South Pacific (SOP)
- Janna Nichols - Level 5
- Carmen Toanchina
- Claude Nichols
- Francis Malinosky-Rummell
Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP)
- Michelle Sin
- Tobias Flecks
- Troy Tichelaar
Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA)
- Carol Risdall - Level 4
- Helen Sonnemans - Level 3
- Jennifer Croy - Levels 2 and 3
- Julie Bomhals - Level 3
- Loretta Lawrence - Level 3
- Aleks Jankowski
- Aleksandra Horton
- Alex Goodman
- Amelie Maurice
- Avery Kruger
- Ben Goldstone
- Benjamin Blank
- Blair Coburn
- Carter Benson
- Cassandra McNaughton
- Elena Dumbravean
- Emma Herrema
- Eva Mansell
- Fabienne Peter
- Isabelle Weldon
- Jamison Heberling
- Jennifer Jones
- Joleigh Prudhomme
- Julianna Faria
- Kate Ryan
- Kira Roberts
- Liam Moczarski
- Lucy Hamlyn
- Luke Berg
- Madison Venezia
- Mark Roberts
- Marlena Norris
- McKenna Maher
- Melina Campanella
- Melissa Giresi
- Micah Selmar
- Olivia Warren
- Paul Foley
- Peter Frissel (Jenna Rose)
- Reagan McLead
- Rebecca Brown
- Reese Pawling
- Rose Goetsch
- Ruby Warner
- Samuel Miller
- Sarah Krieg
- Sheri Van Dijk
- Sofia Paz
- Summer Courtney
- Tahina Lizama-Kiefl
- Trinna Cuellar
- Vivi Kaplanis
- Wayne Hall
- Zeeshan Merchant
Author: Tom Sparke, Communications Manager
Introducing our April Fish of the Month, the Red Lionfish, Pterois volitans! We chose this species because April is Lionfish Derby month — REEF's 17th Annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival takes place April 23–26, 2026, right here in Key Largo!
Survey Regions: Red Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific, but since the mid-1980s they have become one of the most impactful invasive marine species in the Western Atlantic. REEF volunteers have documented their spread throughout the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) survey region, including Florida, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Size: Red Lionfish can grow up to about 15 in / 38 cm in length, though individuals approaching 18–19 inches have been recorded in Atlantic waters where they face few natural predators.
Identifying Features: Red Lionfish are striking and hard to miss. They have bold red, maroon, and white vertical stripes across the body and head, along with large, fan-like pectoral fins and long, separated dorsal fin spines that give them a dramatic, feathery silhouette. Fleshy tentacles extend above the eyes and below the mouth. Their 13 dorsal spines, 3 anal spines, and 2 pelvic spines are venomous — a painful defense mechanism that deters most would-be predators.
Fun Facts: Red Lionfish are voracious predators that use their fan-like pectoral fins to corner small fish and crustaceans before striking with lightning speed. They can consume prey up to half their own body length! A single female can release roughly 2 million eggs per year, spawning every few days in warm waters — a key reason their populations have exploded in the Atlantic. Because they have virtually no natural predators in the Western Atlantic, targeted removal efforts like the REEF Lionfish Derby are critical for controlling their numbers and protecting native reef ecosystems. And here’s some good news for the adventurous eater: lionfish are delicious! Their white, flaky meat is mild and buttery, and eating lionfish is one of the tastiest ways to support reef conservation. Come try some for yourself at the free Conservation Science & Arts Festival on Sunday, April 26 at the REEF Campus!
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Daryl Duda.
