Author: Noa Parks, Citizen Science Coordinator
From April 23–26, divers, captains, families, and ocean lovers gathered for REEF's 17th Annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival — and by the time the scales were tallied, we had a brand-new Florida Keys record on our hands. Over two days of competition, derby teams pulled 2,480 invasive lionfish off South Florida reefs, smashing the previous Keys record of 1,898 (set in 2023) by a jaw-dropping 31 percent. It's also a new all-time high across REEF's full derby program that over nearly two decades has been hosted across Florida.
Headlining the leaderboard were the Badfish Slayers, who hauled in a staggering 659 lionfish, a new REEF derby team record, edging out Forever Young's 648 from 2023. But what really set 2026 apart wasn't a single team's performance. It was the depth of the field. Five teams each cleared more than 300 fish, a milestone that's historically been the domain of just one or two elite crews. Captains came in with combined rosters, four-diver teams, and sharper strategies, and several Apex Predator squads turned in the best performances of their derby careers. Reports from the captains' meeting also pointed to a notable share of larger fish, and our science team is now digging into that data alongside catches from past years.
Sunday brought the public Conservation Science and Arts Festival to the REEF Ocean Exploration Center, and what a scene it was. Visitors crowded around fillet and dissection demos, lined up for lionfish tastings (yes, they're delicious), browsed work from local artists and vendors, listened to live music, hit the food trucks, and stuck around to cheer through the awards ceremony.
A quick look at the top results: most fish overall went to Badfish Slayers (659); largest lionfish to Lionfish Eliminators at 420 mm; smallest to Badfish Slayers at 49 mm; smallest live lionfish to Tequilla Little Time at 84 mm; and most fish in the Reef Defenders division to The Hunters with 121. The all-women's Team Trash took fourth in the Apex Predators division with 361 fish, and the final Apex standings rounded out with Aquamented (395), Lionfish Exterminator Corp (392), Forever Old (312), and Lionfish Eliminators (143).
Across REEF's derby program, divers have now removed more than 38,800 invasive lionfish from local waters since the events began, fish that would otherwise prey on native species and disrupt reef ecosystems. "Removing 2,480 lionfish in a single derby is a milestone for the Florida Keys, but what really stands out about 2026 is the depth of the field — every team raised their game," says Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., REEF's Director of Conservation Science. "This is what a mature, well-trained removal community looks like, and it's the result of years of work by divers, captains, and conservation partners across the region."
A huge thank-you goes to our premier sponsors, the Ocean Reef Conservation Association and the Monroe County Tourism Development Council, whose support makes this event — and its conservation impact — possible. And to every diver, captain, vendor, volunteer, and festival-goer who showed up: thank you. You made this one for the books.
Questions? Email lionfish@REEF.org.
Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
SCUBA divers can collect fish and marine mammal DNA just by swimming! A few years ago, we reported on an exciting collaboration with scientists from Scripps Oceanography that uses cutting-edge technology to improve our understanding of ocean ecosystems. Results from this study were recently published in the scientfic journal, Environmental DNA. This study tested whether citizen science SCUBA divers could help monitor marine biodiversity using environmental DNA (eDNA), or tiny genetic traces organisms leave behind in seawater. eDNA filters were attached to REEF volunteer divers, who concurrently conducted REEF surveys during a REEF Field Survey Trip. The DNA captured on those filters was then extracted and sequenced, and the species detected were compared to what divers recorded visually during their surveys.
There were 17 fish species detected both by the eDNA samples and on the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project surveys, including the most commonly observed species. The authors found that diver-collected eDNA produced consistent results and was less affected by differences between individual divers than traditional visual surveys, suggesting it could help reduce observer bias and make large-scale monitoring more standardized. However, eDNA detected fewer fine-scale differences in fish communities and would require substantially more sampling effort to match the detail captured by human observers. Excitingly, we detected DNA from Guadalupe Fur Seal (a species previously considered extinct after most of the population was killed in 1928, was rediscovered in 1954, and is now listed as Endangered by the IUCN) in one sample, suggesting that this method can be useful for rare or cryptic species detection. Overall, the study shows that while eDNA collected by citizen scientists is a powerful and scalable tool for tracking marine life, it works best as a complement to traditional underwater surveys. Stay tuned for more on how we plan to couple REEF surveying with eDNA data collection and other high-tech tools.
Visit REEF's Publications page to read more about this study, access the paper, and information on the over 100 other scientific publications that have included REEF programs and data.
Author: Tom Sparke, Communications Manager
What a year 2025 was for REEF. From the long-anticipated Grand Opening of the Ocean Exploration Center to record-breaking citizen science contributions, REEF members, donors, partners, and volunteers helped us reach more people, remove more invasive species, and advance more marine science than ever before. We're thrilled to share that our 2025 Impact Report is now live at www.reef.org/2025-impact-report — we hope you'll take a few minutes to dive in.
By the Numbers
A few of the year's highlights:
11,776 new marine-life surveys submitted by REEF volunteers, bringing our database to 319,867 surveys — the largest marine life sightings database in the world — contributed by 18,240 volunteer divers and snorkelers.
10,270 visitors welcomed free of charge to the new REEF Ocean Exploration Center since its June 2025 opening.
5,259 people engaged through our Ocean Explorers education programs.
1,618 invasive lionfish removed by 13 diving teams at the April 2025 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival.
137+ peer-reviewed scientific publications now built on REEF citizen-science data.
Behind those numbers are stories worth telling: a Nassau Grouper spawning aggregation that didn't show up on schedule at Little Cayman (and the cutting-edge eDNA metabarcoding our researchers deployed in response), a new dual-laser SMILE prototype bringing precision fish-length measurement into the hands of citizen scientists, live underwater classroom broadcasts that reached more than 200 Cayman students in real time, and a growing community of educators, students, divers, and snorkelers connecting with the ocean in new ways.
Financial Diligence
If you've been watching for our annual impact summary, thank you for your patience. REEF holds itself to a high standard of financial accuracy and transparency, and we wait until our books are fully reconciled and audit-ready before we publish — so that every figure you see reflects a complete and accurate picture of the year.
REEF's 2025 operating expenses totaled $2.8 million, with 88.5% directed straight to conservation, education, and citizen science programs. Our 2025 financials also include $3.1 million in capital funding for the Ocean Exploration Center, reported separately to clearly distinguish operating activity from this one-time facility investment.
You can review our complete financials, audited 990s, and third-party accreditations any time on our Financials and Transparency page: www.reef.org/financials-and-transparency.
None of what's in the 2025 Impact Report would have been possible without you. To everyone who logged a survey, volunteered at the Derby, visited the Ocean Exploration Center, gave a donation, joined a trip, taught a student, or simply helped spread the word — thank you. You made 2025 a landmark year, and we're already hard at work on 2026.
Read the full 2025 Impact Report: www.reef.org/2025-impact-report
Author: Mead Krowka, Education Coordinator
Hands-on marine science in action! Students from Benjamin School recently joined REEF for an Ocean Explorers Expedition packed with curiosity, discovery, and saltwater adventure.
The day began at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center, where students learned the fundamentals of REEF Fish ID surveys and practiced identifying common Caribbean reef species. The Ocean Exploration Center is uniquely suited to host school groups — combining interactive exhibits, classroom-style instruction, and nearby access to the coral reef through one of our partners.
After honing their skills on land, students put their new knowledge to the test on a guided snorkel, completing their first fish surveys in the wild. They also explored a dense mangrove ecosystem from the water and got an up-close look at marine biology through a lionfish dissection.
"Watching students go from practicing fish IDs at the Ocean Exploration Center to spotting and recording those same species on a snorkel just a few hours later is exactly what this program is built for," said Rose Kelly, REEF Education Coordinator. "Having a dedicated space like the OEC in the heart of the Florida Keys, lets us pack a remarkable amount of real marine science into a single school day — and send students home as citizen scientists."
These young explorers walked away with a deeper understanding of ocean conservation and the species that call our reefs home.
REEF offers customized expeditions like this for schools and student groups year-round — a meaningful way to bring marine science to life beyond the classroom. Learn more at www.REEF.org/explorers/expeditions.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Field Survey Trips Program Manager
Tobago - August 1, 2026 to August 8, 2026
Outflow from the Orinoco River in Venezuela feeds the water around Tobago with an abundance of nutrients. This, in turn, attracts an incredible number of fish. Tobago boasts some of the healthiest reefs in the Tropical Western Atlantic and hosts a range of species not found elsewhere in the Caribbean. Saddle Parrotfish, Yellow-tipped Damselfish, and the Jaggedhead Blenny are a few that we will look for on our trip. Manta Suites and Manta Lodge offer spectacular ocean views and a relaxing experience, while Tobago Dive Experience provides guests with a more customized and personalized experience. You can find out more details about our upcoming trip here.
Take a look at how our 2024 Trip to Tobago went!
Flickr Album
Batch Report
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!
We also still have availability on a few of our other upcoming trips:
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.
Author: Janna Nichols, Citizen Science Program Manager
As April comes to a close, so does Citizen Science Month. We are proud to recognize and celebrate you and the power of community-driven science. Research findings show that citizen science is an extremely impactful tool when it comes to furthering scientific research. Your contributions to the Volunteer Fish Survey Project are a prime example of this, collecting critical data needed for marine conservation. Every survey you submit helps make a huge difference!
Citizen Science Month is organized by SciStarter, an organization dedicated to connecting people to science. To learn more and view REEF's projects on SciStarter, check out this page.
Author: Tom Sparke, Communications Manager
Meet our May Fish of the Month, the Padded Sculpin, Artedius fenestralis — a pint-sized master of disguise from the Pacific coast.
Survey Regions: Padded Sculpins range from the eastern Aleutian Islands of Alaska south to central California. REEF volunteers document them throughout the Pacific Coast (PAC) survey region.
Size: Small — up to about 14 cm / 5.5 in total length. Most individuals divers see are smaller.
Identifying Features: Padded Sculpins are champions of camouflage, with mottled brown, reddish, olive, and gray coloration broken up by four to five darker saddles across the back. The key ID feature is a distinctive patch of fleshy cirri (small skin tufts) behind each eye, with more on the snout. Those postocular cirri separate them from the similar Smoothhead Sculpin (Artedius lateralis), which lacks them. Found from the intertidal zone down to about 55 m / 180 ft, most often in shallow rocky reef and kelp habitats.
Fun Facts: First described in 1883 by American ichthyologists David Starr Jordan and Charles Henry Gilbert. The species name fenestralis comes from the Latin fenestra (“window”), likely a nod to the bold dark saddles on their bodies. The genus name Artedius honors Peter Artedi (1705–1735), the Swedish “father of ichthyology,” who drowned in an Amsterdam canal at age 30. Like many sculpins, they’re ambush predators — sitting motionless and using suction feeding to inhale small crustaceans like amphipods, isopods, and shrimp. Train your eye to spot those telltale head cirri, and a whole world of small, beautifully patterned Pacific sculpins opens up.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Sara Thiebaud
