REEF members are the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. A diverse community of divers, snorkelers, and ocean enthusiasts support our mission to conserve marine environments worldwide.

This month we highlight Vicki Dixon, a REEF member who lives in Texas. She has been a member since 2000, and has conducted more than 260 REEF surveys in regions including the Central Indo-Pacific (CIP), Indian Ocean & Red Sea (IORS), Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA), and Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP). We're thankful to call Vicki a REEF member! Read on to learn more about her.

When and how did you first volunteer with REEF or become a REEF member?
I have been a member of REEF since 2000. My family was on a trip to Roatan and entered a fish ID contest at CoCo View Resort. Not to brag, but we won and received a fish ID CD and t-shirts. Guess you could say I was hooked.

If you have been on a REEF Field Survey Trip, where and what was your trip highlight?
I have been on 2 REEF Trips: Palau (2022) and Yap (2025). In Palau, observing the spawning behavior of numerous grouper and Bumphead Parrotfish was memorable. Seeing Mandarinfish feeding in the coral during the day was another highlight.

What inspires you to complete REEF surveys?
Being a retired environmental biologist, I enjoy observing and learning more about what I am seeing. Completing REEF surveys fulfills my need to continue to pursue my interests while providing useful data that can be used to monitor ocean fish populations. The survey forms are a great template and learning tool.

What is your favorite part about being a REEF member?
As a REEF member, I enjoy the accessibility to information on fish species and interaction with like-minded divers. The REEF Field Survey Trips are fun and a great way to learn from more experienced surveyors. The volunteers and staff at REEF are always very responsive and helpful.

Where is your favorite place to dive or survey?
The closet ocean diving for us is the Caribbean, and we have dived the most often in Cozumel. We have been diving in Cozumel since 1986 and it always delivers good diving. Our dive guides have become friends which makes our trips even more fun.

What is the most fascinating fish encounter you’ve experienced?
Last year in Tubbataha, we were fortunate to encounter a whale shark in open water. It swam to us. Being within arm’s length and looking into the eye of such an enormous creature was a thrill and a gift.

What is your favorite fish or marine invertebrate & why?
The Splendid Toadfish, endemic to Cozumel, is a bit of an obsession. They are always fun to try and find and photograph. Maybe it is their brilliant yellow and turquoise colors, or the way they flutter their pectoral fins when coming out to investigate that makes them so fascinating.

Is there a fish (or marine invertebrate) you haven’t seen yet diving, but would like to?
Seeing a Mola mola (Ocean Sunfish) is on my bucket list.