REEF members are the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. A diverse community of divers, snorkelers, and ocean enthusiasts support our mission to conserve marine environments worldwide.
This month we highlight Gail Roberts, a REEF member who lives in Italy. She joined REEF in 2020 and has conducted nearly 500 REEF surveys! Gail conducts all of her surveys while snorkeling in the Eastern Atlantic & Mediterranean (EAM) region, and with 499 EAM surveys submitted so far, she is the region's most active surveyor. We're so thankful to have a dedicated member like Gail!
When and how did you first volunteer with REEF or become a REEF member? How did you first hear about REEF?
I first participated in a REEF survey on a trip to Hawaii. I was very impressed by my friend’s knowledge and ability to identify all the species.
What inspires you to complete REEF surveys?
Every time I do a survey I’m excited to see old friends and occasionally discover something new.
Do you dive or snorkel close to where you live, and if so, what is the best part about diving/snorkeling there?
My favorite place to snorkel is just across the street from my new home. In fact, it influenced my motivation to move there! It’s a spot on the Mediterranean where mountain spring water meets the sea, and you swim from warm sea water into chilly currents of magnesium and sulfur-rich mountain sources. The fish seem to like bouncing in this limbo as well.
What is the most fascinating fish encounter you’ve experienced?
My favorite snorkeling memory is when I rescued a large mullet that had been hooked by a fisherman and then somehow gotten snagged on a float in the water. I was able to unhook the line that tethered it, and it looked at me thankfully before it swam away.