So far in 2026, 10,657 surveys have been submitted to the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP) by 780 volunteers at thousands of sites around the world. Every single survey makes a difference! The ongoing nature of the VFSP and its broad geographic coverage have helped make it one of the most impactful ocean citizen science programs in the world.

Since the beginning, these 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. REEF data have contributed to more than 100 scientific publications! Visit this page to explore the full list.

Here are just a few highlights from recent scientific papers that demonstrate the incredible value of the data you collect:

Proving the Power of Citizen Science (2024)

How do REEF volunteer surveys compare to data collected by professional scientists? Researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and REEF compared 25 years of REEF surveys with data from federally coordinated fish surveys at 60 sites off Key Largo, Florida. They found that the two datasets showed similar population trends for most of the 87 fish species studied. This research provides important scientific validation that REEF volunteers collect reliable data that can be used to track changes in marine ecosystems over time. Read the study.

Tracking Endangered Hammerhead Sharks (2024)

REEF data helped researchers investigate encouraging signs for two critically endangered shark species in the Cayman Islands. By combining REEF survey observations with other scientific data, researchers documented evidence that Scalloped Hammerheads (Sphyrna lewini) may be returning to waters where large schools had not been reported for decades. Great Hammerheads (Sphyrna mokarran) also appear to be becoming more common in the area. This study demonstrates how long-term sightings data can help scientists track changes in populations of threatened species. Read the study.

Informing Goliath Grouper Conservation (2023)

REEF surveys provide a valuable long-term perspective on Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara) populations in Florida. A study published in Marine Policy examined the species’ recovery following decades of fishing restrictions and the conservation concerns surrounding Florida’s decision to reopen a limited fishery. The researchers identified the REEF database as the best available source of long-term information on adult Goliath Grouper in Florida. This is a powerful example of how your observations can contribute to discussions about fisheries management and protecting vulnerable species. Read the study.

Exploring New Ways to Monitor Marine Life (2026)

Could divers someday collect DNA samples while conducting their regular REEF surveys? A new study explored this possibility by attaching passive eDNA filters to REEF volunteer divers while they conducted fish surveys. Scientists compared the environmental DNA (eDNA) collected from seawater with the species recorded by divers. The results showed that eDNA can be a valuable complementary tool, particularly for detecting difficult-to-observe species, while visual surveys remain important for capturing detailed information about fish communities. This research demonstrates how the VFSP can help advance new marine monitoring technologies. Read the study.

Every Survey Matters!

These studies are just a small sample of the many ways REEF data are being used to advance marine science and conservation. Whether you’re surveying a familiar local dive site for the hundredth time or exploring somewhere new, the observations you record contribute to a growing body of knowledge about our oceans. And remember, documenting the common species is just as important as recording the rare ones! It’s the consistent observations, collected across many locations and over many years, that make the VFSP database such an extraordinary resource.

Thank you for being part of this incredible community of ocean citizen scientists. Keep diving, keep surveying, and keep making every fish count!