Author: Jen Loch, Ph.D., Conservation Science Manager
Thanks to the efforts of many REEF members, 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 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 an AI 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), University of San Diego and Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and TetraTech, 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: 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 at least 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.
