Author: Tom Sparke, Communications Manager
One year ago, on June 7–8, 2025, we opened the doors to the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo. Timed to World Oceans Day, the grand opening marked the start of a new chapter for REEF. The Ocean Exploration Center is a free, public space designed to spark curiosity about the ocean, advance citizen science, and equip visitors of all ages to become stewards of our blue planet. Twelve months in, we’re looking back on what the Center has made possible and thanking the community that made it real.
A year by the numbers
Since opening, the Ocean Exploration Center has welcomed over 18,000 visitors from across the Florida Keys and around the world. Since opening our Ocean Exploration Programs which spans Discovery Programs, Expeditions, Virtual Programs, and Monroe County School Programs have engaged 2,657 participants in hands-on marine education.
What the Center makes possible
The Ocean Exploration Center was always meant to be more than a museum. Over the past year it has grown into a true community hub for the Upper Keys, hosting fellow nonprofits, Chamber of Commerce events, local businesses, and community gatherings alongside our own programming. The diverse mix of visitors walking through the doors means we’re reaching many groups who otherwise wouldn’t cross paths with REEF’s mission.
A standout moment from the year was our partnership with Key Largo School: more than 650 students attended a free ocean exploration program at the Center, fully funded through REEF’s Oceans for All Fund. Seeing the Center packed with curious young learners, many experiencing hands-on marine science for the first time, was exactly the vision we built this place around.
In addition, every Tuesday, the Center comes alive for Ocean After Hours, a weekly evening series that has become a fixture of life at the Center. Programming rotates between guest speakers from across the marine science and conservation world, hands-on lionfish jewelry workshops, and one-off special events. It’s a low-key, social way to engage with the ocean, and it has built a regular community of locals, visitors, and members who plan their week around it.
True to REEF’s Oceans for All values, the Center remains free and open to the public so cost is never a barrier to exploring marine science.
Another chapter in a 30-year story
“The opening of the Ocean Exploration Center wasn’t a single-year event, it’s another exciting chapter in REEF’s story. For over 30 years, we’ve been integrating citizen science and public education into everything we do, and the Ocean Exploration Center is the physical embodiment of that mission. What makes it so special is that it’s an incredible access point into the REEF community, whether they’re already a Fishinar regular or just walking in off the highway curious about the ocean.”
— Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Co-Executive Director, REEF
Thank you
None of this happens without the donors, volunteers, members, partners, and staff who believed in the vision. The $6 million capital campaign brought this building to life; your continued support keeps it thriving. A special thank you to the Monroe County Tourism Development Council for their partnership and support, and to the remarkable group of dedicated donors whose generosity continues to power everything that happens inside these walls.
What’s next
Year two is just getting started and we are excited to see what the year brings. Our Ocean Exploration Program continues to expand, reaching more students, more visitors, and more of the community every month. Whether you’ve been a hundred times or haven’t made it through the door yet, we’d love to see you on campus.
Plan your visit: The Ocean Exploration Center is located at Mile Marker 98.3 on the Overseas Highway (98380 Overseas Hwy), Key Largo, FL 33037. Visit www.REEF.org/oec for hours, directions, and admission, or support the Center to help us power year two and beyond.
Author: Jen Loch, Ph.D., Conservation Science Manager
Thanks to the efforts of many REEF members and our funding partners, the SMILE (Size Matters: Innovative Lengths Estimates) Project has made progress in advancing conservation technology for fisheries science and management. Size data is a crucial component of fish population monitoring to understand trends in population size, growth, age and reproductive potential, and fishing pressure. Collecting these data is often resource-limited for fisheries managers, leading to a data gap for management and conservation. The SMILE project was created in 2022 as a solution to this data need, while complementing REEF's longstanding Volunteer Fish Survey Project. The SMILE project uses compact underwater cameras with mounted lasers to collect images of target reef species that are processed through a workflow that extracts fish lengths, ultimately supplementing data to interested agencies. REEF has partnered with South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (SAFMC) Citizen Science Program, Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) and the University of San Diego and Scripps Institute of Oceanography to advance this citizen science initiative.
Since its inception, progress has rapidly evolved. The first SMILE system, "FishSense," was a larger, computer-controlled unit designed to collect RGB (red-green-blue) imaging using depth cameras, software and compute platforms to estimate fish length. The second iteration of the SMILE system, "FishSenseLite," is most familiar to our volunteer citizen scientists as a housed Olympus TG6 camera and mounted single-laser. The laser sits in a fixed position to provide a scaler that estimates the distance between the fish and the camera to account for depth of field influences and facilitate length accuracy. SMILE developed and used 11 of these cameras, which collected over 65,000 images of reef fish by over 80 divers that not only supplied fish data, but also provided crucial, helpful feedback on the system and project methodology. A common volunteer suggestion was reducing the need to take calibration photos before and after the dive, which would also aid in bringing the project to larger scale. We also encountered challenges with the robustness of available lasers. Without a suitable laser on the market, REEF turned to research partners at Backscatter Underwater Video and Photo to develop a laser caliper that meets the functionality of the SMILE project. While laser calipers have been used by researchers before, none were designed for use on a compact camera and for the intended use of citizen scientists. Previous laser calipers used on the Grouper Moon project were set at 25 cm apart, while the SMILE project developed calipers are 2.5 cm apart, allowing for use on fishes of varying sizes, and compatible with different camera models. This development expanded SMILE to its current iteration on GoPros, with the added benefit of continuous video to maximize imagery data. This system will also likely make SMILE more suitable than its predecessors for simultaneous use during fish surveys!
With the help of citizen scientists, the SMILE technology combines optical sensing, machine learning, and edge computing to minimize fish handling and optimize data collection where traditional methods are more limited. Stay tuned for updates on opportunities to test the cameras yourself.
Author: Tom Sparke, Communications Manager
Race Week is June 7–13, 2026, and registration closes June 15 — or as soon as shirt supplies run out, whichever comes first. If you’ve been meaning to sign up, this is the moment.
Run, walk, hike, bike, paddle, or swim — cover the 5K (3.1 miles) however you like, in one day or broken up across the week. Every $65 registration includes a limited-edition performance race shirt (youth and adult unisex sizes, while supplies last), a race bib, and five custom Fish Team vinyl stickers. Grab friends, family, or dive buddies and form a Fish Shoal to make it a team effort.
Proceeds support REEF’s Oceans for All Fund, which expands access to marine science, diving, and conservation for those who’ve had limited opportunities to experience the ocean. The race also coincides with World Oceans Day — a fitting time to make your miles count.
Register now. Heads up: race packages for registrations after May 23 will ship after Race Week, so don’t wait — lock in your spot before sizes sell out. Questions? Email 5Krace@REEF.org or visit www.REEF.org/5k.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Field Survey Trips Program Manager
Our group of 20 participants had an incredible 9 days on our Field Survey Trip to Misool Eco Resort, in Indonesia. From close encounters of the Manta kind to vibrant schools of fish, we only scratched the surface of what this unique place had to offer. We dove deep pinnacles, shallow coastal slopes, and mangrove lagoons, finding an abundance of different species. We found species such as the Denise Pygmy Seahorse, Squarespot Anthias, Banded Archerfish, and 3 shark species: Blacktip, Tasseled Wobbegong, and Epaulette Shark. We spent the days exploring the intricate islands of Raja Ampat and the evenings up in “The Hive” (Misool’s common space) IDing all the unidentified species of the day. Each day brought a plethora of new species, more than we could ever go over in class. The rough estimate of species for our group is around 500 species, and that number grows with each survey entered!
You can see photos of the trip in our Flickr album here.
REEF Field Survey Trips are eco-vacations led by marine life experts. Each trip features daily dives and fish ID classes for both beginners and experienced surveyors. To book your space on a REEF Trip, email trips@REEF.org. We hope to "sea" you underwater soon!
Check out some of our upcoming trips, including:
Cuba: June 27-July 4, 2026 -- More information here.
Tubbataha, Philippines: June 28-July 8, 2026 -- More information here.
Tobago: August 1-8, 2026 -- More information here.
Or take a look at our full schedule here.
Author: Noa Parks, Citizen Science Coordinator
Mark your calendar! We have two upcoming Fishinars, REEF’s free online fish ID webinars, both led by REEF’s Field Survey Trips Program Manager and fish enthusiast Stacey Henderson. Whether you’re prepping for your next dive trip or just curious about life beneath the surface, these sessions are a great way to sharpen your ID skills from anywhere.
Florida Bay Fishes — Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 8:00pm EDT. Join Stacey for a tour of the interesting species you can find while diving or snorkeling in the Florida Bay. Tropical Western Atlantic survey region. Register here.
Wrasses of the Mediterranean — Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 8:00pm EDT. Stacey shares helpful tips on identifying wrasses in the Mediterranean Sea — a great opportunity to learn more about the marine life in the Eastern Atlantic & Mediterranean survey region. Register here.
For the full list of upcoming Fishinars, visit www.REEF.org/reef-fishinars.
Author: Mead Krowka, Education Coordinator
We are excited to welcome our Summer 2026 Marine Education & Conservation Interns to REEF! They will assist with education, outreach, events, and more at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo and in the field. Since 1993, more than 150 young adults have interned with REEF and transitioned into careers all over the world, in the marine conservation field and beyond. Please join us in welcoming Will, Nevaeh, Navya, and Jay. Here’s some more about them:
Will Cengic (he/his) is a recent graduate of the University of Vermont, where he majored in Biology and minored in Film and Television Studies. He studied abroad in Australia, conducting field research on local flora and fauna in the Atherton Tablelands, Daintree Rainforest, and Great Barrier Reef. He also participated in a research project focusing on the behavior patterns of male Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Western Australia. Will interned with the Animal Care Department at the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont, and with the Animal Rescue Program at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut. At Mystic, he assisted with the rehabilitation of stranded grey seals and sea turtles, and he conducted necropsies of large marine mammals with the veterinary team. Will grew up outside of Boston and loves movies, baseball, and surfing. He is excited to join the REEF team and contribute to its important conservation work.
Tionna “Nevaeh” Blair (she/her) graduated from Savannah State University in May 2025 with a B.S. in Marine Science. While in Savannah, she spent much of her time leading and coordinating outreach events, creating activities for experiential learning, and mentoring lowerclassmen. Since moving back to North Carolina, she’s been creating content to share her realistic post-grad journey and promote diversity in the field. In her free time, you may find her working with sea turtles, settling in with a good book, in the gym, or out enjoying nature. Nevaeh wants to pursue a career that interlinks coral reef ecology, biogeochemistry, scientific diving, and informal education to satisfy her curiosity and passion for teaching. She’s really excited to get back into the field this summer and later pursue her Master’s degree, a scuba diving certification, a veterinary technician license, and gain experience overseas.
Navya Mittal (she/her) is a Biology and Environmental Studies undergraduate at Wesleyan University. As a rescue diver, she had the opportunity to work as a research diver at Lizard Island Research Station in Australia, conducting quadrat surveys and behavioral observations of fish on the Great Barrier Reef. Her fieldwork spans freshwater streams in Connecticut, Australian rainforests and reefs, coral reef restoration in Indonesia, and elasmobranch bycatch research in India. She is currently completing a thesis on the morphology of minnows in Connecticut. Navya believes that people will only protect what they understand, and that storytelling and communication are key to driving conservation impact. She is leading ScubaHead’s Ocean 101 initiative and has taught marine conservation workshops in Mumbai and Connecticut. She is excited to further her teaching and citizen science experience with REEF.
Jay Funaro (they/them) graduated from California State University, Monterey Bay in December 2025 with a B.S. in Marine Science. During their time at CSUMB, they participated in undergraduate research with Moss Landing Marine Laboratories studying algae growth and reproduction under graduate student mentor Jess Franks. They also served as a summer field technician in the MLML ichthyology lab, conducting seine net population surveys in the surf zone — the first of many fish-centered survey projects for them. For their AAUS scientific diving project, Jay indulged a personal interest in nudibranch (sea slug) abundance in Monterey; they love looking closely at the small details and subtleties of the marine environment, and moving slowly to spot these little creatures was fully worth enduring the chill of the Pacific. Beyond research, Jay volunteered with eelgrass restoration monitoring in Elkhorn Slough, the SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, and the CSUMB Scientific Diving Program as a Teaching Assistant and Dive Master. Since graduating, they have been working toward their scuba instructor certification and are moving to Florida from the Bay Area in California. While in Florida, Jay hopes to actively connect with the public through ocean stewardship at REEF and be as involved as possible with the many avenues of conservation the Florida Keys has to offer. When not in the ocean, Jay enjoys hiking with their dog, birding, and creating art, including illustrations and paintings of flora and fauna. They are excited to bring their creative passion to REEF this summer, returning to warmer waters and contributing to ensuring the cold ones stay that way!
For more information about the Marine Conservation Internship or to apply for an upcoming semester, visit www.REEF.org/internship.
Author: Tom Sparke, Communications Manager
Meet our June Fish of the Month, the Blue Tang, Acanthurus coeruleus — a Caribbean reef icon with one of the most dramatic color changes in the tropical Western Atlantic. The juvenile pictured above is a vivid lemon yellow; the adult it will grow into is deep blue. Same fish, two completely different looks.
Survey Regions: Blue Tangs are found throughout the tropical Western Atlantic — from Bermuda and Florida through the Bahamas and Caribbean down to Brazil — including the Gulf of Mexico. REEF volunteers document them throughout the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) survey region, where they’re one of the most commonly sighted species on shallow reefs.
Size: Medium — up to about 39 cm / 15 in total length, though most individuals divers see are in the 20–30 cm / 8–12 in range. Newly settled juveniles are tiny, often just a few centimeters long.
Identifying Features: Adult Blue Tangs are unmistakable — an oval, laterally compressed body that’s deep blue to blue-gray, often etched with fine darker pinstripes running horizontally along the flanks. Look closely at the base of the tail and you’ll spot a small, sharp, often pale-yellow spine on each side: the scalpel-like caudal spine that gives the surgeonfish family (Acanthuridae) its name. Juveniles, like the one pictured, are a striking bright yellow all over, with a thin blue ring around the eye. As they grow, they pass through an intermediate phase — yellow body with blue fins — before settling into full adult blue. The transformation is so complete that early naturalists once thought juveniles and adults were separate species.
Fun Facts: First described in 1787 by German naturalist Marcus Elieser Bloch. The species name coeruleus is Latin for “sky blue” or “dark blue” — fitting for the adult, if not the juvenile. Blue Tangs are dedicated herbivores, grazing algae off the reef and playing a crucial role in keeping corals from being overgrown. They often forage in mixed-species groups with other surgeonfish and parrotfish; the sheer number of bodies overwhelms territorial damselfish that would otherwise defend their algae gardens against a single grazer. So next time you spot a flash of yellow zipping through a shallow Caribbean reef, take a closer look — you may be watching a future blue giant in its bright early days.
Photo by Tom Sparke, taken on the recent REEF Field Survey Trip to St. Eustatius.
