Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
Winter months always bring news of one of REEF's key conservation science effots - the Grouper Moon Project, a multi-decade conservation success story protecting one of the Caribbean’s most extraordinary natural events: the largest known spawning aggregation of the endangered Nassau Grouper. We are excited to share a new short video that tells this story. Check it out on REEF's YouTube channel "We Speak Fish".
Each winter around the full moon, nearly 10,000 of these normally solitary fish converge at a single site off Little Cayman to reproduce. For more than two decades, scientists from REEF, the Cayman Islands Department of Environment, and partner institutions, have had a rare, once-a-year window to study this phenomenon. Today, the team deploys cutting-edge tools such as acoustic tagging and artificial intelligence for fish ID, research that has directly informed forward-thinking conservation measures — including seasonal closures — helping secure the future of this iconic species.
The project is led by Reef Environmental Education Foundation, Cayman Islands Department of Environment, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, The Semmens Lab at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and OSU Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences , and with vital logistical support from local partners including Little Cayman Beach Resort, Reef Divers, Peter Hillenbrand, and Southern Cross Club .
Author: Noa Parks, Citizen Science Coordinator
The 2026 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival is just around the corner, and we’re gearing up for an exciting weekend of conservation, community, and creativity this April! This event combines hands-on invasive lionfish removal with local art, science, and education. Here’s a look into 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. We’ll be talking about 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 Florida reefs. Prizes will be awarded to teams who collect the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.
April 26 – Derby & 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 intersection of art, science, and conservation. Enjoy educational activities, interactive games, live music, lionfish scoring, fillet and dissection demos, tastings, local artisan vendors, food trucks, craft beer, and the culminating Derby Awards Ceremony honoring participating teams.
Learn more about competing in the Derby and explore Festival details.
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: Jill Kuehnert, Campus Director
Welcome to our quarterly REEF Campus update from Key Largo. This winter marked an exciting milestone for us: it was our first “snowbird season” with the new Ocean Exploration Center fully open, and the energy on campus has reflected it.
Traditionally one of the busiest times of year in the Florida Keys, the winter months bring part-time residents and visitors seeking sunshine and connection. This season, we’ve seen a noticeable uptick in first-time visitors walking through the doors of the Ocean Exploration Center. We’re welcoming new faces, people who are discovering REEF and our mission for the very first time.
February, in particular, showcased how the Campus is becoming a vibrant community gathering space. On February 3, we hosted a reception celebrating a new installation in the Center’s Ocean Inspires space: a series of mosaics created from ceramic pieces made during a community art workshop with the Business & Professional Women (BPW) of the Upper Keys. The exhibit beautifully reflects how art and ocean conservation can intersect to inspire stewardship.
On February 11, we welcomed members of the Florida Keys Council of the Arts for a “Gather Round” luncheon, bringing together our respective members to explore how our missions complement one another in strengthening and supporting our community. Later in the month, on February 26, the Campus hosted the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce “Members in Motion” event, complete with live music under the string lights in our garden. We closed out the month on February 28 as a featured stop on the Upper Keys Garden Walk, inviting the public to appreciate the Native Plants & Heritage Trail at the heart of our REEF Campus and the role native landscapes play in environmental health.
At each of these events, I have been asking a simple question: “Who is here for the first time?” Each time, a third to half of the hands go up. That moment is always thrilling. It tells us that our partnerships with fellow nonprofit leaders, arts advocates, and business organizations are expanding REEF’s reach and introducing new audiences to our mission of protecting marine environments through research, education, and citizen science.
As we move into spring, we are proud to see the REEF Campus in Key Largo, with Ocean Exploration Center as its centerpiece, growing as a hub for connection, collaboration, and conservation in the Florida Keys. Each new visitor represents another person discovering REEF’s mission and the power of citizen science.
For those of you supporting REEF from across the country and around the world, this growth belongs to you! The momentum we’re experiencing on campus reflects the strength of our entire community. Wherever you are, we invite you to stay engaged—submit a survey, share REEF’s online programs with a fellow ocean enthusiast, or plan a future visit to the Keys. Together, we are building a connected community working to ensure healthy oceans for generations to come.
Author: REEF Team
As REEF continues to grow in scope and scale, our leadership must grow along with it. Last year, the Board of Trustees made the strategic decision to expand from nine to eleven members to better support our mission. We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Julia Parrish and Will Ribbens officially joined the Board on January 1, 2026.
Both Julia and Will bring a wealth of expertise, a passion for citizen science, and a deep-rooted love for the marine environment. Please join us in welcoming them to the REEF family!
Dr. Julia Parrish
Professor of Ocean Fishery Sciences, University of Washington
Dr. Julia Parrish has been a force in marine biology for over 40 years. While her early career focused on the behavior of schooling fish, she eventually transitioned her research to the intersection of the ocean and the sky. Marine birds.
A professor at the University of Washington, Julia is a true pioneer in the world of citizen science. In 1999, she founded the Coastal Observation and Seabird Science Team (COASST), a program that empowers volunteers to monitor beach-cast marine birds as indicators of ecosystem health. Her work has been instrumental in addressing critical conservation issues, from climate forcing and oil spills to fishery impacts. Julia’s expertise in how coastal community members contribute to science makes her a natural fit for REEF’s volunteer-driven mission.
Will Ribbens
Retired Insurance Executive & REEF Ambassador
If you’ve been on a REEF field survey lately, you’ve likely encountered Will’s infectious enthusiasm. A diver since 1994, Will’s journey with REEF began in Bonaire in 2015. Since then, he has become one of our most dedicated ambassadors, reaching Junior Golden Hamlet status in 2022 and being named Co-Volunteer of the Year in 2023 alongside his wife, Alice.
Will joins the board following a distinguished 34-year career in the insurance industry, bringing valuable experience in underwriting, marketing, and management. He is no stranger to nonprofit leadership, having previously served as Board President for the Tapestry Folkdance Center. When he isn’t teaching fish ID classes in his home state of Minnesota, you might find him biking, skiing, or practicing his newest hobby—the ukulele.
Meet the New Trustees at REEF Fest!
We are looking forward to the fresh perspectives and leadership Julia and Will will bring to the team. Both are planning to attend REEF Fest this year, providing a wonderful opportunity for our members and volunteers to meet them in person.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Field Survey Trips Program Manager
There is nothing better than escaping the cold winter months of January. Join REEF on our Field Survey Trip to Palau, January 17-27, 2027. A 10-night adventure aboard the Palau Aggressor II, timed perfectly with the full moon to witness the spectacular spawning of Red Snapper, Moorish Idols, and Orangespined Unicornfish. Following the Best of Palau itinerary, this trip promises world-class diving with incredible biodiversity. On our previous Palau REEF trip, we encountered rare marine life such as the elusive Blueback Pygmy Angelfish, Harlequin Grouper, and Helfrich’s Dartfish. With Palau’s thriving reefs and abundant sea life, this journey offers breathtaking underwater encounters at every turn. You can find out more details 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:
Jamaica: March 14-21, 2026 -- More information here.
Cayman Brac: April 4-11, 2026 -- More information here.
Fiji: April 18-28, 2026 -- More information here.
St. Eustatius: May 9-16, 2026 -- More information here.
Cuba: June 27-July 4, 2026 -- More information here.
Tubbataha, Philippines: June 28-July 8, 2026 -- More information here.
Bonaire: July 11-18, 2026 -- More information here.
Tobago: August 1-8, 2026 -- More information here.
Photo courtesy Aggressor Adventures
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.
Fishinar: Eastern Atlantic & Mediterranean Invertebrates and Algae, Pt. 2
Thursday, March 26, 8pm EDT
Click here to register
Join us as REEF Co-Executive Director, Dr. Christy Semmens continues to teach us how to identify some of the common invertebrate and algae species of the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean region! To watch the recording of part 1, visit this page.
Photo by Frederico Cardigos@ImagDOP
Author: REEF Team
We are excited to welcome Tom Sparke to the REEF Team as Communications Manager. Tom joins us with experience spanning marine science,conservation, and storytelling. He is an accomplished underwater videographer and avid scuba diver. Tom earned a BSc in Marine Biology & Oceanography and an MSc in Tropical Coastal Management from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. His involvement with REEF began in 2016 as a volunteer scientific diver with the Grouper Moon Project, and he has participated every year since. Before joining REEF, Tom led ocean expeditions, conservation initiatives, and communications efforts across the Caribbean, Pacific, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and the Arctic. He brings a unique background at the intersection of philanthropy, nonprofit, and private-sector conservation, including work on blue carbon projects preserving mangrove forests, a pilot marine biodiversity credit program, and the establishment of a private conservation trust. His experience also includes developing environmental education programs and underwater live-streaming lessons at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI). At REEF, he will manage communications to amplify the organization’s impact and share the stories behind its science, education, and conservation work. Tom is based in New Jersey, where he lives with his wife and daughter.
