Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., REEF Director of Science
In response to requests from the scientific community, we are adding a new species to monitor on REEF surveys in the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) - Diadema antillarum, the Long-Spined Sea Urchin. In the early 1980s, a large die-off of Diadema occurred throughout the TWA. This has had a significant and long-lasting impact on coral reefs in the region because Diadema is (was) one of the primary grazers on Caribbean coral reefs (keeping rocks clear for baby corals to establish and keeping algae from overgrowing established corals). The disappearance of Diadema, coupled with overfishing of grazing fish species such as parrotfish and surgeonfish in some parts of the Caribbean along with other complicating factors, has resulted in many algae-dominated reefs. Despite 20+ years since the die-off, the once wide-spread and abundant species has failed to recover in most places in the Caribbean. There is a growing collective of researchers who are hoping to map the current distribution and abundance of Diadema. REEF will be assisting this effort by including Diadema in our TWA protocol. Surveyors will report whether they were actively looking for Diadema or not, and if they were, in what abundance category (S,F,M,A - same as for fish). We are currently working on the necessary training materials and additions to the database, and the new protocol will be in place soon.
Author: Sasha Medlen, REEF Membership Coordinator
REEF members are at the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Over 50,000 divers, snorkelers, students, and armchair naturalists stand behind our mission.
This month we highlight Doug Biffard, a REEF member since 2000. An active surveyor who lives in Victoria, British Columbia, Doug has conducted 455 surveys to date and is a member of REEF's Advanced Assessment Team for the Pacific region. Here's what he had to say about REEF:
How did you become involved with REEF?
Back in the 1990s I joined in on Vancouver Aquarium’s annual Lingcod Egg Mass Survey (still an active event). I learned through aquarium connections that REEF and Living Oceans Society were planning training sessions for the recently-developed Pacific Northwest protocol in 1999. I signed up for the Victoria session lead by Susan Francis, one of the first trainers for the Pacific Northwest region.
In your opinion, what is the most important aspect of REEF’s projects and programs?
The really great thing about REEF is the people involved. Dana Haggarty, the young scientist that designed the PNW species list was a real inspiration to me. Janna Nichols, who I met early on as part of the AAT, is the enthusiastic and creative outreach coordinator. And then there are the people who I meet when we travel to the Caribbean on REEF survey trips, like expert surveyor Kenny Tidwell, who has become a good friend with whom I share a passion for fish, nature, and getting outside.
Do you dive close to where you live, and if so, what is the best part about diving there?
Most of my diving is around Victoria BC. We have a huge variety of diving here, from high current sites, walls, reefs, kelp beds, to sand flats. We often encounter seals and sea lions, which can be lots of fun and slightly intimidating.
What is your favorite fish or marine invertebrate? Why?
My favourite fish is the China Rockfish. When I started diving in the 70’s we would often see this fish in the Strait of Georgia, but now they are rarely observed. With increased marine conservation awareness through programs like REEF, I hope to see the China Rockfish return to my old dive sites. One of my favourite invertebrates to find is the Northern Abalone. In contrast, this invertebrate was over-exploited in the 70s and 80s. Harvest for this species was prohibited 20 years ago and now we are starting to see good numbers of juveniles at many dive sites. It is quite a joy to see a little abalone cruising along a reef of pink algae.
What is your most memorable fish find and why?
My most cherished memory of a fish find happened while diving with my wife, Bev (also a REEF surveyor) at a local dive site. Bev spotted what she thought was a common Bay Pipefish, and quickly drew my attention to it. After the dive, Bev asked why I squealed underwater, I explained she had found a fish I have been looking for since I was a young boy -- a very rarely spotted Quillfish!
Author: REEF Staff
REEF’s Summer Donation Matching Campaign is winding down, but we still need your support to reach our goal! Please consider making your donation today - click here to donate online! We are $12,000 from our goal of $60,000, and we know we can count on the support of our members. Thanks to a generous matching pledge from three of our supporting foundations, your donation will be doubled. Your support helps ensure that we can continue the critical work to protect our world oceans through education and research. Please consider donating today to help us reach our fundraising goal. Every donation, no matter how small, makes double the difference!
A highlight of the summer for us has been our new REEF's Ocean Explorers Camp. From studying mangroves to completing mock health surveys on sea turtles and investigating ocean creatures, these young REEF Explorers had a blast! Just like you, we are committed to educating the public so marine conservation continues well into the future. Education is a component that runs through all of REEF's programs and is essential to ensuring the success of our core citizen science projects. Don't forget that every dollar given is matched by our generous supporters this summer. Please make a today donation at www.REEF.org/contribute!
And a big fishy thank you to all of our members who have already donated this summer.
Author: REEF Staff
Join us in Key Largo this fall for REEF Fest 2015, September 24 - 27. Celebrate the success and impact of REEF's marine conservation programs and education initiatives with diving, learning, and parties. Festivities begin Thursday with afternoon seminars and then a welcome party at the Caribbean Club. Friday and Saturday are full days, with diving in the mornings, seminars in the afternoons, and social events in the evenings (Friday Open House at REEFHQ and Saturday Celebration Dinner Party). The fun wraps up on Sunday with more organized dives. All REEF Fest events are open to the public. Complete details on the schedule, including the lineup of seminars, diving opportunities, and social gatherings, as well as travel logistics and hotel arrangements, are available online at www.REEF.org/REEFFest2015.
REEF Fest: Explore. Discover. Make a Difference. Celebrating Marine Conservation in the Florida Keys!
Author: Amy Lee, REEF Trips Program Manager
If you haven't checked out the 2016 REEF Trips schedule yet, now's the time. We have an exciting lineup of destinations planned, and we hope you will join us. These trips offer a great introduction to fish identification for novice fishwatchers, and are a fun way for experienced surveyors to build their life-list while interacting with fellow ocean enthusiasts. We are also offering three of the ever-popular Invasive Lionfish Research Studies trips. REEF staff, board members, and other marine life experts lead the trips, and each features daily classroom seminars and a full diving schedule.
To find out more or to book your space, contact us at trips@REEF.org or call 305-588-5869. Visit www.REEF.org/trips to see the complete schedule, package details, trip leader bios, and more. Book early - REEF trips often sell out! Also, keep an eye on the REEF Trips webpage because we will be adding a few more trips to the 2016 schedule (and beyond) in the coming months.
2016 REEF Field Survey Schedule
Feb 6 - 13 -- Dominica Invasive Lionfish Research Study -- Dive Dominica & Castle Comfort Lodge, Led by Lad Akins and Peter Hughes
Feb 20 - 27 -- Barbados -- Dive Barbados Blue & Coconut Court Beach Hotel, Led by Lad Akins
April 9 - 16 -- Philippines Dumaguete -- Atlantis Resort Dumaguete, Led by Dr. Christy Pattengill-Semmens and Dr. Brice Semmens, One male share space left
April 16 - 23 -- Philippines Tubbataha Reef -- Atlantis Azores Liveaboard, Led by Dr. Christy Pattengill-Semmens and Dr. Brice Semmens, Sold Out
May 14 - 21 -- Honduras Bay Islands Invasive Lionfish Research Study -- M/V Caribbean Pearl II, Led by Lad Akins and Peter Hughes
June 18 - 25 -- Florida Keys and Blue Heron Bridge -- Islamorada Dive Center & Postcard Inn, Led by Carlos and Allison Estape
Aug 13 - 20 -- Virgin Gorda -- Dive BVI & Guavaberry Spring Bay, Led by Janna Nichols
Aug 20 - 27 -- Curacao Invasive Lionfish Research Study -- GO WEST Diving & Kura Hulanda Lodge, Led by Lad Akins and Peter Hughes
Oct 1 - 8 -- Bermuda -- Triangle Diving & Grotto Bay, Led by Ned and Anna DeLoach
Oct 9 - 13 -- Barkley Sound, British Columbia -- Rendezvous Dive Adventures, Led by Janna Nichols
Oct 22 - 29 -- Saba Sea & Learn -- Sea Saba & Juliana's Hotel, Led by Paul Humann and Jonathan Lavan
Nov 7 - 10 -- Coronado Islands, MX and San Diego, CA -- Waterhorse Charters, Led by Jonathan Lavan
Dec 3 - 10 -- Belize Turneffe Atoll -- Blackbird Caye Resort, Led by Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D.
Dec 3 - 10 -- Cozumel -- Chili Charters & Safari Inn or Casa Mexicana, Led by Tracey Griffin
Author: Janna Nichols, REEF Outreach Coordinator
Want to get the latest news and updates from REEF? Then be sure to check out the REEF Facebook Page. You don't have to have a Facebook account to view the page, anyone can look at the content. If you do have a Facebook profile, be sure to "like" us so that all of the latest information about REEF's programs and events, our marine conservation work, and exclusive content and stories will go straight to your feed. It's also a great place for our members to post pictures, fish stories, and whatever is on their mind. We also maintain the REEF Invasive lionfish Program Facebook Page to keep you up-to-date on our current lionfish programs.
Author: Janna Nichols, REEF Outreach Coordinator
Whether you've attended one of our famous Fishinars (REEF's version of an online webinar) before or not, you're sure to enjoy one of our upcoming free classes! From the comfort of your own home, or on-the-go on your mobile device (using the Citrix GoToWebinar app), you can join in the camaraderie of your fellow fish-fanatics and learn from experts in our short, free, fun and interactive-styled Fishinars. Check out www.REEF.org/fishinars for more information.
- Yo Yo YOYs! Pacific Northwest Young of Year Rockfish ID
- Those Darn Damsels - REBOOT!
- Invertebrates and Algae of REEF's California Survey Project
- The Nightstalkers! Eels of the Caribbean
- Islands in the Stream: Fish of the California Channel Islands
- The Ones You Should Know - Top 25 Fishes of the Caribbean
