Steve Vinitsky did his first REEF survey on June 25th, 2000 at Coral Gardens on Dominica, during a Field Survey trip led by Paul Humann and Ned DeLoach.
Since then, he has become an avid citizen scientist, conducting surveys many regions all over the world including the Tropical Western Atlantic, Hawaii, South Pacific, South Atlantic States, Central Indo-Pacific, and the Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Continue reading to learn more about Seve!
When and where did you do your first REEF survey? What got you started?
I had been diving for 10 years and was looking for something to do while diving. I'm not much of a photographer and one day while reading a diving magazine; I came across an article about REEF and decided to join as it was free. That was in April of 2000. I went on my first REEF trip in June of 2000. It was the first time REEF went to Dominica, and this is where I met both Paul Humann and Ned Deloach. As a matter of fact, Paul was my dive buddy. He told me that he didn't believe in dive buddies. I chuckled and realized that I like this guy.
When and where did you do your 1,000th Survey? Tell us anything memorable about your 1,000th survey?
I was somewhere in the Philippines when I reached my 1000th survey.
In which regions have you done surveys? What experience levels are you in those other regions? Do you have any favorite dive spots in those places?
Most of my surveys have been in Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA), Experience Level 5. My favorite place in the TWA has got to be Cozumel. I have also completed surveys in Hawaii, South Pacific, South Atlantic States, Central Indo-Pacific, and the Indian Ocean. So far, my favorite diving spots in the Pacific have been Tubbataha and Raja Ampat. As a matter of fact the picture you see of me was taken in Tubbataha.
What are your goals with REEF for the future?
My future goals are to get to the Red Sea and hopefully the Mediterranean; and then, do it all over again!