Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
At the end of this month, REEF staff and partners from collaborating institutions including Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and Oregon State University will be attending the annual scientific conference hosted by the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) in Cartagena, Colombia. This annual gathering brings together scientists, park managers, fishers, and conservation organizations to share the latest in research and initiatives. We will be presenting on several of REEF's programs at this year's conference, including the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, the SMILE (Size Matters: Innovative Length Estimates) project, and the Grouper Moon Project. A full list of the presentations is below.
REEF staff attend at least one scientific conference each year, thanks to the generous support of our contributing members. Sharing REEF’s projects at these meetings plays a vital role in increasing awareness of the meaningful conservation impacts our programs are having on the world’s oceans. Conferences enable our staff to meet face-to-face with existing collaborators and strengthen networks to form new partnerships. In addition, these gatherings keep our team at the forefront of marine science, exposing us to cutting-edge research, innovative techniques, and new ideas that inform and inspire our ongoing efforts to protect ocean life.
Presentations given at the 2025 GCFI Conference:
Volunteer Fish Survey Project
Semmens, BX and M Titcomb. A 30-Year Retrospective: Using Citizen Science Data to Model the Drivers of Caribbean Grouper Trends. Reef-associated groupers are iconic apex predators and critical ecological indicators of reef health, yet many Caribbean grouper populations are experiencing range-wide declines according to the IUCN Red List Index. To evaluate species-specific trends throughout the Caribbean region, the authors of this studies analyzed 30 years (1994–2024) of citizen-science Roving Diver surveys conducted as part of REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project.
Titcomb et al. Rethinking Universal Decline: Citizen science reveals heterogeneous, long-term trajectories and regional bright spots for Caribbean sharks and rays. Elasmobranch populations are widely considered to be in decline, but a lack of granular, long-term data has hindered refined regional assessments, forcing a reliance on coarse-scale inferences. To address this data gap, the authors used a similar 30-year dataset from the Volunteer Fish Survey Project to evaluate trends across the Caribbean. The results will be invaluable for developing effective management strategies as nations work to balance fisheries, dive tourism, and conservation.
SMILE Project
Loch, J et al. Advancing Fisheries Science Through Accessible Technology for Community-Driven Reef Fish Monitoring. This presentation will provide an update on the latest advances with REEF's newest conservation science initiative - SMILE (Size Matters: Innovative Length Estimates). The SMILE Project uses trained citizen scientist divers, such as REEF surveyors, equipped with laser-mounted “FishSense” cameras to document lengths of economically-important fish species. After images are collected in the field, AI workflows are used to generate accurate, non-extractive size data.
Grouper Moon Project
Layton, J et al. Understanding Energy Output During Spawning Aggregation Events of Tiger Grouper (Mycteroperca tigris) on Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. This study is part of the larger spawning aggregation research conducted as part of REEF's Grouper Moon Project, which focuses on Nassau Grouper but also studies the other species that use the site on the west end of Little Cayman. Our team measured the per-egg energy content of Tiger Grouper during spawning, revealing consistent reproductive energy investment across time, but significantly different from that of Nassau Grouper. These findings help improve our understanding of grouper reproductive ecology and emphasize the need for species-specific conservation strategies in the Caribbean.
Author: The REEF Team
We are thrilled to welcome Chesley Davis to the REEF team as Director of Learning and Engagement. Based at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, FL, Chesley brings a passion for teaching climate and environmental science through hands-on learning experiences. In her role, Chesley oversees REEF Ocean Explorers education programs, helping to connect learners of all ages with marine science and conservation. She also supports community outreach and educational initiatives at the new Ocean Exploration Center.
Originally from Georgia, Chesley earned a BSA in agricultural communications from the University of Georgia. She spent 17 years working with the 4-H Youth Program in Georgia and South Carolina, where she developed and led youth education programs and managed teams of volunteers. In 2004, Chesley moved to Whitefish, Montana, where she discovered her love of the outdoors and travel. She worked at Whitefish Mountain Resort as a group sales coordinator and later as a flight attendant with SkyWest Airlines. Her adventures continued in Africa, where she volunteered at a game reserve in South Africa and earned her scuba certification in Egypt. After returning to Georgia, Chesley resumed her work with 4-H as a county coordinator, overseeing human resources and budgeting. In 2021, she pursued a Master’s in Climate Science and Global Sustainability from the School of International Training’s Graduate Institute, with immersive studies in Iceland, Ecuador, and the Seychelles. Her interest in sustainable travel led to Boston, where she worked in the eco-tourism industry from 2022 to 2024.
When she’s not leading marine education efforts, Chesley enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends. Every fall, she proudly cheers on the Georgia Bulldogs. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Chesley!
Author: Amy Lee, Communications Manager
REEF Fest is nearly here, and we couldn't be more excited for our annual marine conservation celebration in Key Largo! If you're planning to attend, we look forward to seeing you soon. If you haven't yet registered, you can still make plans to join us Oct 16-19 for ocean presentations, fun socials, and more. Check out all the details and register for REEF Fest at www.REEF.org/REEFfest.
Don't miss the REEF Campus Open House on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public, and all are invited to drop by to check out the Ocean Exploration Center, mingle with friends, and grab a bite to eat from the food trucks onsite. There are still tickets available to For the Love of the Sea, our annual REEF Fest celebration held at stunning waterfront location overlooking Florida Bay. There will be dinner, drinks, and a silent auction featuring marine life artwork and photography, jewelry, vacation packages, and more. Limited tickets are available for $125 per person and include appetizers, dinner, desserts, coffee, and an open bar with local craft beer, wine, signature cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. You can purchase tickets to For the Love of the Sea online by visiting the link above.
Be sure to join us for free ocean seminars at the Ocean Exploration Center on Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18. If you aren't able to watch in person, all of the REEF Fest seminars will be live-streamed on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. The seminar schedule is below. All times listed are in ET.
Friday, October 17
• 2:30 pm: "Tracking Shark and Ray Sightings Across the Caribbean: Insights from decades of citizen science data" presented by Brendan Talwar, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Scholar at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
• 4:00 pm: "Participatory Science: A valuable tool for biodiversity research" presented by Corey T. Callaghan, Assistant Professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida
• 6:00 pm: "Why I Cave Dive When There’s No Fish: An introduction to the world of cave diving" presented by Nat Gibb, Cave Explorer, Underwater Photographer and Videographer
Saturday, October 18
• 2:30 pm: "Can Reef Tanks Save Coral? Hobbyists and the future of the healthy ocean" presented by Sam Muka, Associate Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Stevens Institute of Technology
Following this seminar, join us for a signing of Sam Muka's book, "Oceans under Glass: Tank Craft and the Sciences of the Sea". Copies are available for purchase during REEF Fest!
Author: Hilary Penner, Director of Program Development
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Educator in the Field Fellowship! This unique opportunity invites one exceptional educator to join the REEF Field Survey Trip to Bonaire on July 11–18, 2026, for an immersive week of marine conservation, citizen science, and hands-on learning. Through the Fellowship, educators gain firsthand experience in fish identification, data collection, and marine research methods. The selected Fellow may participate in the trip as a diver or snorkeler. The Fellowship covers all trip inclusions plus up to $1,200 in travel reimbursement. Fellows may earn up to 2.5 units of graduate-level credit through UC San Diego
Following the trip, the Educator in the Field Fellow will bring these real-world conservation lessons back to their classrooms and communities, using REEF’s Ocean Explorers Education Program resources on citizen science, invasive species, and endangered species. The Fellow also serves for one year on REEF’s Education Advisory Panel, a team of dedicated educators who help guide REEF’s curriculum development and educational initiatives.
If you are a formal or informal educator with innovative ideas and a passion for connecting students to ocean science, we encourage you to apply! Applications close January 5, 2026. Selected applicants will be notified in late January. Learn more and apply at www.REEF.org/educatorinfield.
Author: Hilary Penner, Director of Program Development
As marine life lovers, we know that diversity is what makes our planet unique. In celebration of diversity above and below the waves, please join us for our annual webinar, Oceans for All: Exploring Diverse Experiences in Marine Conservation. This free webinar will take place on Tuesday, November 4, at 8 pm ET and will be hosted as a panel discussion featuring guest speakers from ocean conservation and science fields.
We would love for you to be part of this discussion. You can register for the Oceans for All webinar at www.REEF.org/fishinars. This webinar is part of a series of educational opportunities focused on supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in marine conservation throughout the REEF Oceans for All initiative. Check out the Oceans for All page for more information.
Author: Noa Parks, Citizen Science Coordinator
Congratulations to REEF surveyor Herb Gruenhagen, who recently joined the Golden Hamlet Club! This distinguished group is made up of highly dedicated volunteers who have conducted 1,000 or more REEF surveys in contribution to the Volunteer Fish Survey Project.
Herb completed his very first REEF survey on July 15, 2001, at La Jolla Canyon in California. In 2007, he began teaching REEF Fish and Invertebrate/Algae ID classes, and has been doing so ever since. Over the years, Herb has introduced over 500 new surveyors to the world of marine life identification and citizen science. Herb conducted his milestone 1000th survey at his favorite dive site, Gorgonian Garden at La Jolla Shores. Nestled in the La Jolla Submarine Canyon, this deep spot is home to vibrant purple and red gorgonians, juvenile Wolf-eels, Cabezon, a variety of rockfish species, shrimps, and dozens of colorful nudibranchs. Herb is a Level 5 surveyor in the PAC (Pacific US and Canada) region, which is where he has conducted all of his surveys. His favorite fish are the Giant Kelpfish and Vermilion Rockfish, along with invertebrates like the Opalescent Nudibranch and Spanish Shawl. He plans to continue teaching REEF classes and conducting surveys for as long as he can.
Congratulations, Herb! Your dedication to marine conservation and citizen science makes a lasting impact. Click here to read more about the Golden Hamlet Club.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Field Survey Trips Program Manager
The votes have been counted, and we're excited to share the 2025 Discover the Sea Photography Contest results! Nearly 400 stunning photos were submitted to this year's contest, and over 3,000 votes were cast! First, second, and third place winners were selected via popular vote for each of the following photo categories: Fish Portrait, Macro, Invertebrate, Comedy, and Habitat/Seascape/Environment. Visit this page to view all the winning photos. Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated in this year's contest by submitting photos, voting for your favorite images, or both!
Photo Credit: "The Ocean as Art" by Michelle Krotec, Photographed in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. 3rd Place, Habitat/Seascape/Environment category.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Field Survey Trips Program Manager
Join REEF’s upcoming second Field Survey Trip to Northern Sulawesi on the special Passport to Paradise itinerary, allowing you to explore three incredible destinations in one trip! The adventure begins with four nights at Murex Manado Resort, home to stunning wall dives and an amazing diversity of species. Following this, we'll head to Murex Bangka Resort, where the pristine reefs are teeming with life. We'll end the trip at the critter capital of the world and spend four nights at Lembeh Resort, looking for rare and unusual marine life while contributing valuable data to REEF’s marine conservation efforts. Find out more 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.
Photo by Stacey Henderson.
Author: Janna Nichols, Citizen Science Program Manager
Welcome to the Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to celebrate those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Here are achievements from July, August and September 2025.
Golden Hamlet Award
Congratulations to Herb Gruenhagen for completing 1,000 REEF surveys and joining the Golden Hamlet Club! Check out the article about Herb in this issue of e-News to learn more.
Juvenile Hamlet Award
The Juvenile Hamlet Award is for individuals who have conducted 500+ REEF surveys. Congratulations to our latest Juvenile Hamlet Club member, Gail Roberts!
Read more about the Juvenile Hamlet award and others who have achieved it.
100 Survey Milestone
This is a new award for REEF members who have conducted 100+ surveys. Congratulations to those who have earned this award within the last three months!
- Linda Bilsing
- Donna Goodale
- Sarah Weaver
- Naide Figueira Henriques
- Kevin Culp
- Olivia Bidenot
Experience Level Advancements
REEF Experience Levels are a way for divers and snorkelers to measure their fish ID knowledge along with their surveying experience. Experience Levels are achieved by submitting a certain number of surveys and passing a fish ID test. For more info, visit www.REEF.org/experiencelevels. We have 134 achievements this quarter - let's hear it for the REEF members who have advanced an Experience Level!
All listed below are Level 2 unless otherwise noted.
California (CAL)
Rosie Arathoon - Level 5
Eloi Agnus - Level 3
Erick Posada
Matt Watkins
Romina Ruiz
Central Indo-Pacific (CIP)
Carmen Toanchina - Level 5
Carol Cline - Level 3
Holly Myers - Levels 2 and 3
Steve Hatten - Levels 2 and 3
Barbara Carichner
Catarina Dinis
Gregg Cline
Joma Dix
Mariette Brommelcamp
Megan Applegate
Michele Chambers
Rebecca Bartow
Rianne Poesse
Sheri Van Dijk
Tiffini Ayala
Eastern Atlantic & Mediterranean (EAM)
Deb Hebblewhite
Kevin Abbott
Mariette Brommelcamp
Hawaii (HAW)
Guy Pinneo
Jon Menton
Indian Ocean / Red Sea (IORS)
Christina Ewerhardy - Level 3
Ahmad Arfaj
Balog Katalin (Boglárka Balog)
Flóra Mátrahegyi
Maha Alghamdi
Yussri Mahrous
Pacific Northwest (PNW)
Phillip Jacobson
South Atlantic States (SAS)
Stacey Henderson
South Pacific (SOP)
Dan Scoggin
Danielle Klose
Heidi Dunn
Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP)
Janet Camp - Level 4
Amaya Sturge
Anna Mitchell
Carol Hull
Constance Gramlich
Greg Jensen
Judy Wagner
Max de Liedekerke
Mindy Gould
Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA)
Kathy Benjamin - Level 5
Anne Coles - Level 3
John Bychok - Level 3
Adam Schneider
Ally Brawner
Amanda Archer
Amy Walton
Anastasia Szymanski
Andrea Loren Mannoia
Angelina Russotti
Aniela Thompson
Annie Johnson
Arash Nikzad
Ashlyn Lixey
Braden Brask
Camille Beeding
Carina Hosford
Cassandra Steffensen
Cecilia Platt
Christine Plentyhoops
Claudia Sanchez
Connor Larson
Dani Backman
Dirk Sikora
Donna Schechter
Dylan Olson
Eleanor Flynn
Elizabeth McParland
Ellie Bosacoma
Emilie Tremblay
Erin Timms
Evangelina Paredes
Ferdinand van Stekelenburg
Francesca Wood
Geneva Swann
Grace Brady
Hannah Pariano
Hannelore Buckenmeyer
Hayden Faricelli
Helen Sonnemans
Hunter King
Isabelle Corlette
Izzy Avalos
Jack Cademartori
Jackie Inzunza
Jackie Powers
Jacqueline Lashmanova
James Wales
Jamiya Borden
Jennier Dukhan
Jennifer Himes
Jordan Brown-Denny
Julieta Garcia Meilan
Katarina Lukic
Katie Lee
Kaylee Stealer
Kim Sicheneder
Kristine Kwong
Laura Miani
Leela Prodhan
Leo Al-Baho
Liam Herbert-Miller
Lily Jaktupat-Schneider
Linda Sawade
Lisa Johnson
Lisa McIntyre
Luke Lebel
Lyla Mannoia
Lynnsey Goyarts
Madalyn Sanchez
Madison Hof
Maeve Power
Mannat Sahni
Megan Diehl
Mia Navarrete
Olivia Johnson
Paige McNamee
Patti Gallagher
Rachel Day
Ryan Gardner
Samantha Coppedge
Samuel Masullo
Sarah Bender
Sarah Fadelici
Spencer Neissen
Stephen Kos
Sue Slavec
Sydney Logan
Tatianna Guillen
Teresa Burchette
Trey Maranto
Tyler Humphries
Veda Keshavamurthy
Vivienne Airhart
Author: The REEF Team
Introducing our October Fish of the Month, the Longnose Filefish, Oxymonacanthus longirostris!
Survey Regions: Longnose Filefish are found throughout the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans, from eastern Africa to Indonesia, Philippines, Micronesia, and the Solomon Islands, as well as Japan, Australia, and Fiji. Click these links to see reports in this REEF database for this species: Central Indo-Pacific (CIP), South Pacific (SOP), and Indian Ocean & Red Sea (IORS).
Size: They grow to about 10cm/4in.
Identifying Features: Longnose Filefish are light blue with rows of orange spots. They have a black spot on the tail and an elongated snout with an upturned mouth.
Fun Facts: Longnose Filefish live on shallow seaward reefs and lagoons. They are typically found in pairs among branching Acropora corals on which they feed.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Frank Krasovec (Photographed in Fiji, 2020 Discover the Sea Photo Contest submission, Fish Portrait category.)
