Author: Noa Parks, Citizen Science Coordinator
April is Citizen Science Month, a time to celebrate the power of community-driven science. Studies have shown that citizen science has a high impact on scientific research, and REEF’s Volunteer Fish Survey Project is a great example. Divers and snorkelers like you collect critical data that supports marine research and conservation. Every survey you submit helps make a difference! Citizen Science Month is organized by SciStarter, an organization dedicated to connecting people and science. To learn more and view REEF’s listing on SciStarter, visit this page.
Author: Stacey Henderson, REEF Field Survey Trips Program Manager
The 2026 REEF Field Survey Trips schedule is out, along with a few exciting trips in 2027! Join us for an unforgettable adventure filled with diving, fish ID classes, and fun with friends. Led by marine life experts, REEF Trips are open to divers, snorkelers, and families. These trips fill up fast, so don’t miss your chance to explore a dream destination with REEF. Check out the full schedule at www.REEF.org/trips or email trips@REEF.org to learn more and book your spot!
Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
The Volunteer Fish Survey Project started in the Florida Keys in 1993. Since then, the program has grown and now surveys are conducted worldwide! Check out the timeline of our survey regions below to see how the Volunteer Fish Survey Project has grown! You can read more about the VFSP here.
• 1993: Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) - Florida, Caribbean, The Bahamas, and Gulf of Mexico.
• 1997: West Coast of the United States and Canada (PAC) - California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska.
• 2000: Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) - Gulf of California to the Galapagos Islands, West coast of Central America, Colombia and Ecuador.
• 2001: Hawaiian Islands (HAW) - main archipelago, northwest islands, Johnston Atoll.
• 2001: Northeast US & Canada (NE) - Virginia through Newfoundland.
• 2004: South Pacific (SOP) - Fiji, Samoan Archipelago, Line Islands, Cook Islands
• 2013: South Atlantic States (SAS) - Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina
• 2013: Central Indo-Pacific (CIP) - Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Australia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southern Japan, Micronesia.
• 2014: Eastern Atlantic & Mediterranean (EAM) - Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Mediterranean, Irish, North and Baltic Seas.
• 2019: Indian Ocean & Red Sea (IORS) - Bay of Bengal, Maldives, Red Sea, East Coast of Africa, Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands.
Author: Janna Nichols, Citizen Science Program Manager
Let’s Celebrate! Every three months, we celebrate our surveyors’ recent accomplishments in Making It Count, our monthly e-News. This includes those who have achieved Golden Hamlet and Juvenile Golden Hamlet status (1,000 surveys and 500 surveys) and Experience Level advancements. Don’t miss the recent recognitions:
October-December 2024 achievements
July-September 2024 achievements
April-June 2024 achievements
January-March 2024 achievements
Keep an eye on your inbox in the next few days to see January-March 2025 recognitions in our upcoming April 2025 e-News!
