Author: The REEF Team
You're Invited to celebrate with us at the grand opening of the REEF Ocean Exploration Center on June 7-8! Join us as we unveil the brand-new Ocean Exploration Center at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida. Coinciding with World Ocean Day, this milestone event marks a new chapter in marine conservation, education, and community engagement. The Ocean Exploration Center is a dynamic, interactive space where ocean enthusiasts of all ages can explore the wonders of the underwater world - no wetsuit required! Featuring immersive exhibits, a science discovery classroom, and galleries highlighting marine life, conservation efforts, and the intersection of science and art, the Center serves as a hub for learning and inspiration. Admission to the Center is always free and open to the public.
Here are some highlights of the grand opening weekend:
Saturday, June 7
•Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Be part of a historic moment as we officially open the Ocean Exploration Center for Marine Conservation with a celebratory ribbon cutting. Don’t miss the photo op!
• Interactive Exhibits: Explore engaging displays on marine ecosystems, conservation initiatives, and the impact of citizen science.
• Dry Survey Exploration: Take on the #CenturyDive challenge - no scuba gear needed! Test your knowledge, find fish species, and compete for fun prizes in this interactive activity.
• Local Food & Drinks: Enjoy offerings from local vendors, including Craig's Food Truck, Polar Ice Snow Cones, Cupacabana Coffee, and craft beer from Florida Keys Brewing Company.
Sunday, June 8
Join us from 10am-12pm for an ocean-themed celebration to kick off the REEF Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K, bringing together ocean lovers, runners, and conservationists of all ages. Then, continue exploring the Ocean Exploration Center's exhibits and activities at your own pace throughout the day.
For more information about the Ocean Exploration Center, the grand opening festivities, and how you can get involved, visit www.REEF.org/OECgrandopening. You can also RSVP online and let us know you're coming. We look forward to celebrating this exciting milestone with you!
Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
The REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project is widely regarded as one of the most impactful ocean citizen science programs. Since 1993, almost 18,000 REEF volunteers have generated one of the largest marine life databases in the world. What makes it such a success? Since the beginning, the data have been made available to everyone. Anyone can query the database and generate summary reports on the REEF website. Our staff also facilitate access to raw data files for scientists, government agencies, and other groups to use in a wide array of studies and policies to better understand and protect the oceans. These data requests have resulted in over 250 scientific publications. Visit this page to see a full list of scientific publications that use REEF data.
Here are some recent data requests our staff have fulfilled:
- We provided Ben Titus of the University of Alabama data to evaluate the status of anemonefishes in tropical Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Red Sea.
- Alex Merkle-Raymond from the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) is using data from Bermuda to support new data activities at BIOS.
- A University of St Andrews Honours student is using REEF data from St. Croix to compare with data collected as part of the BioTIME database project.
- We provided Kayla Feairheller from Bleu World data on fish and invertebrates to evaluate populations on Catalina Island, CA.
- Anna Bakker from University of Miami is using REEF data to evaluate fish populations in relation to coral cover in the Maldives as part of a World Bank project.
Author: The REEF Team
We are excited to welcome Rose Kelly to the REEF team as an Education Coordinator! Rose is based at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, FL. She grew up in Bethesda, MD, and traveled to Florida every spring for family vacations. She has a deep love for snorkeling, beach walks, and exploring the coast. Rose graduated from Providence College with a B.S. in environmental biology. During her time at Providence, Rose served on Student Congress, worked as a school event planner, and traveled to Cairns, Australia, to pursue research on animals in the tropics. Prior to joining the REEF team, she served as the head of education at a small Chesapeake Bay Aquarium, where she discovered her passion for environmental education and inspiring people to learn more about hands-on conservation. As an Education Coordinator, Rose is excited to form connections and assist with the REEF Ocean Explorers Education program! In her free time, she loves traveling, trying new foods, and attempting trivia. Please join us in welcoming Rose to the REEF team!
Author: Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., Director of Conservation Science
Last weekend, 13 teams of scuba divers took to the water and collected 1,618 invasive lionfish during the 2025 REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival. Teams fished from sunrise to sunset on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. The derby weekend concluded on Sunday, April 27 at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, with a festival celebrating the intersection of art, science, and marine conservation. The festival included lionfish scoring, cooking and dissection demos, plus numerous educational activities, games, and vendor booths.
More than $6,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to teams who brought in the most, largest, and smallest lionfish. The “Most Lionfish” category included the competitive Apex Predators division and the Reef Defenders division for casual lionfish hunters. The Stooges led the Apex Predators with 379 lionfish. Forever Old finished second with 375 lionfish, and Volitans placed third with 349 lionfish. Fourth, fifth and sixth places went to Younger Than Them with 274 lionfish, Team Trash with 138 lionfish, and The Hunters with 66 lionfish. In the Reef Defenders division, MEEROW AQUAneers won first place with 21 lionfish. Tequila Little Time brought in 10 lionfish for second place, Spear It 1 won third place with 3 lionfish, and Spear It 2 placed fourth, also with 3 lionfish.
Competition was close in the largest and smallest lionfish categories. Forever Old won first place in the “Largest Lionfish” category with a 416 mm fish, just over 16 inches. Younger Than Them won second place with a 414 mm fish, and Volitans won third place with a 409 mm fish. Team Trash had the smallest fish of the derby, which measured 83 mm. The Stooges won second place with a 91mm fish, and Younger Than Them brought in a 96 mm fish for third place. Tequila Little Time also caught a 104 mm live lionfish, to be displayed in an educational exhibit at the REEF Campus. Full results from this event and other past derbies are posted online at here.
REEF has been hosting lionfish derbies in the Florida Keys since 2010, and to date more than 70,000 invasive lionfish have been removed from Florida waters during REEF Lionfish Derbies. These events are more than just a conservation effort - they are a powerful way to unite the community through excitement, education, and environmental stewardship. We are very thankful to all of the derby participants, event volunteers, and our supporters who make this annual event such a fun success each year. Click here to see photos from the event.
This event was made possible thanks to Ocean Reef Conservation Association and Florida Keys Brewing Company. Activities occurred within NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary under permit.
Be sure to save the date for the 17th annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival on April 23-26, 2026! Fishing will take place April 24-25, and the festival will be on Sunday, April 26 at the REEF Campus in Key Largo. For more info, visit www.REEF.org/lionfish-derbies.
Author: Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., Conservation Science Manager
We want to hear from members like YOU! Help us improve exciting REEF research by taking a quick (10-15 minute), voluntary online survey to share your insights on citizen science and your motivations for potentially participating in a marine conservation project that utilizes handheld cameras to obtain fish lengths underwater. No particular experience is necessary to complete this survey and provide valuable information.
This Citizen Science & Conservation Technology Survey will provide more information about the SMILE (Size Matters: Innovative Length Estimates) project and ask information about your fish identification capability, dive experience, interest in participating in the project and other citizen science conservation technology projects. The information you provide will be vital to the success of this project and understanding citizen science motivations and barriers more broadly. We appreciate your time and feedback!
To thank you, upon completion of this survey, your name will be entered into a raffle drawing facilitated by REEF – winners will choose one shirt of your choice.
Follow the link below to access the survey: https://colostate.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8ex46Y1PbsdBJum
Author: Carolyn Corley, Education Coordinator
There's still time to register for the Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K, coming up on June 8-14! If you haven't registered yet, visit www.REEF.org/5K to sign up now! When you register, you will choose to join one of five Fish Teams.
Which Fish Team will you choose? Check out the descriptions below to learn more about each fish, and learn more about their "race personalities" at this page.
2025 Fish Out of Water 5K Fish Teams:
The Red Irish Lord has a mottled pattern that helps them to blend into shallow, rocky environments and makes them excellent ambush predators. They feast on small, unsuspecting crustaceans and fish.
Scarlet-fin Flasher Wrasses are known for their vibrant colors. Males perform dramatic courtship displays by flaring or “flashing” their fins in order to attract females.
The Moorish Idol is easily recognizable as this species is Gill from Finding Nemo! It is also the only species in its family.
The European Parrotfish are found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. They use their beak-like mouths to scrape algae and small invertebrates of the rocks.
Balloonfish have an amazing defense mechanism: when threatened, they can take in water or air to expand their body to 2 to 3 times its original size!
Fish Teams are just for fun; there is no competition involved. You can also form a Fish Shoal to participate in the 5K with friends! All participants receive a limited-edition shirt, printable race bib, and a set of Fish Team stickers! If you've already registered for the Fish Out of Water 5K, be sure to download our Social Media Kit and share your Fish Team with friends!
Author: Hilary Penner, Education Manager: Program Development
We just wrapped up hosting the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby and Arts Festival, and now our education team is ready to dive in to a busy season of Ocean Explorers Education programs. While some of the lionfish caught during the derby are immediately prepared into delicious, fresh lionfish ceviche for derby attendees, we also save some lionfish to use during REEF's invasive species-focused education programs throughout the year.
Ocean Explorers program participants love participating in lionfish dissections. This hands-on educational activity is a great introduction to the natural history and anatomy of invasive lionfish, and also offers the chance to discover what they ate for lunch, by examining stomach contents! We conduct lionfish dissections in person at the REEF Campus as well as virtually, and the activity is well-suited for classrooms, clubs, homeschool groups, and families.
Did you know that lionfish fins can be preserved and made into beautiful jewelry? We offer lionfish jewelry workshops for groups and regularly host public programs at the REEF Campus. If you want to make your own at home, you can purchase your own jewelry making kit, which includes pre-treated lionfish fins, create your own jewelry at home. Lionfish jewelry kits or jewelry make a sustainable, unique gift for anyone in your life! Visit our online store to purchase pre-made lionfish jewelry and jewelry kits.
We also have free Virtual Field Trips (grades 3-8) and Virtual Case Studies (high school) focused on invasive lionfish. Visit www.REEF.org/explorers or contact explorers@REEF.org to book your adventure and learn about invasive lionfish today!
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, as well as 200+ recorded Fishinars here.
Fishinar: Fishes of Micronesia Part 2
Tuesday, May 6, 8pm ET
Click here to register.
REEF staff member Amy Lee will highlight some of the amazing species found in Micronesia, part of the Central Indo-Pacific (CIP) survey region.
Humpback Snapper photo by Carol Cox.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Field Survey Trips Program Manager
If you missed our recent REEF Field Survey Trip to Fiji, you're in luck because we are headed back next year, on April 18-28, 2026. We had an incredible time this year on the lovely NAI’A liveaboard. Fiji is known as a hotspot for diving, with massive schools of pelagics such as Bigeye Trevally, Scad, and Barracuda, Gray Reef and Whitetip Reef Sharks, and unusual creatures like the Leaf Scorpionfish and Ornate Ghost Pipefish.
If you are looking to take a trip this year, we have a few spaces still available, including a male shared space on the Nevis trip and a female shared space in Yap, with additional openings on our Canary Islands and Curacao trips. See links for these trips and more below.
Be sure to keep an eye out for a few new additions to our Field Survey Trips schedule, including: Jamaica (March 14-21, 2026), Croatia (July 25-August 1, 2026), Andros Island, Bahamas (November 7-14, 2026), and Sea of Cortez - Explore Baja itinerary (September 10-22, 2028) More details on these trips are coming soon!
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!
Nevis: May 17-24, 2025 -- More information here.
Costa Rica: June 21-28, 2025 -- More information here.
Yap: June 21 - July 2, 2025 -- More information here.
El Heirro, Canary Islands: August 16-23, 2025 -- More information here.
Anilao, Philippines: October 25 - November 4, 2025 -- More information here.
Curacao: November 1-8, 2025 -- More information here.
Author: The REEF Team
Introducing our May Fish of the Month, the Flying Gurnard, Dactylopterus volitans!
Survey Regions: The Flying Gurnard is found throughout REEF's Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) survey region, which includes the the Caribbean, Florida, The Bahamas, and Bermuda. It is also found on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, in REEF's Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (EAM) survey region. Here are links to the distribution reports for this species in the REEF database: TWA and EAM
Size: They are 6-14 inches, and grow to a maximum of 18 inches.
Identifying Features: Flying Gurnards have large, fanlike pectoral fins that have bright blue lines and dots when expanded. Their pectoral fins have thick, curved spines that look like fingers. Their bodies are grayish to yellow with white spots, and they have a rounded head with a blunt snout.
Fun Facts: Flying Gurnards live on sand, seagrass or rubble bottoms near shallow patch reefs. When foraging, they will "walk" across the bottom on their ventral fins, and use the large spines of their pectoral fins to turn over rocks and rubble to find prey.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Paul Humann.
