Congratulations to REEF surveyor Callie Mack, who recently joined the Golden Hamlet Club! This notable group of highly dedicated volunteers have submitted 1,000 or more REEF surveys in contribution to the Volunteer Fish Survey Project.
Callie’s first survey was in 2011 on a night dive at La Jolla Shores, CA, and recorded only 12 species. During her time leading to a Golden Hamlet, she has surveyed in the TWA and TEP, but conducts most surveys in San Diego through night snorkels and shore dives. She enjoys the biodiversity of her local rocky reefs and surveying for invertebrates as well as fish. She recently spotted a Sabertooth Blenny! Her milestone survey was in July 2026, when she found Porter’s Chromodorids (few), Hopkins’ Rose Nudibranch (single), and took her best photos ever of a juvenile California Sheephead, which looks nothing like the adults.
“I like contributing to citizen science, especially now when our planet is under such severe threat from climate change. And surveying makes every dive and snorkel like a nature hike underwater.” Thank you and congratulations, Callie! Your dedication to marine conservation and the Volunteer Fish Survey Project makes a lasting impact. Click here to read more about the Golden Hamlet Club.