Join us for free marine life seminars during REEF Fest! We have a great lineup of guest speakers including scientists, naturalists, and underwater photographers. Seminars are held at the new REEF Ocean Exploration Center (98380 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037). Please see the schedule below for dates and times.

Seminars are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is requested. 

Watch Online: For those who are not able to attend in person, REEF Fest seminars will be livestreamed on the REEF Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Seminars - Full lineup and dates/times coming soon!

"Can Reef Tanks Save Coral? Hobbyists and the future of the healthy ocean"
Presented by Sam Muka, Associate Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Stevens Institute of Technology

Keeping coral in tanks is a fairly new practice, but it has big implications for the ability to study and conserve coral. This talk will trace the history of coral reef tanks, from the earliest practitioners in Indonesia, to the present. Join us to learn how hobbyists have influenced the design and process of coral conservation over time, and how they continue to contribute to current practices.

"Tracking Shark and Ray Sightings Across the Caribbean: Insights from decades of citizen science data"
Presented by Brendan Talwar, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Scholar at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Shark and ray populations have seen major declines in recent decades, especially in the Caribbean. In the 2000s, scientists used REEF survey data to reveal these troubling trends. Today, researchers like Brendan have revisited that data (spanning from 1993 to 2024) to better understand how sightings of sharks and rays have changed over time. By analyzing patterns across regions and years, the team has created long-term snapshots of the most commonly seen species. They also explored what happens after countries establish Shark Sanctuaries, where sharks and ray fishing is banned. Brendan will discuss this shark and ray research and highlight how it provides vital insights for conservation, tourism, and sustainable fishing.

"Why I Cave Dive When There’s No Fish: An introduction to the world of cave diving"
Presented by Nat Gibb, Cave Explorer, Underwater Photographer and Videographer

When people hear that Natalie Gibb is a professional diver, they often picture her swimming through blue water over reefs of colorful fish. When they learn that she’s a professional cave diver, the reaction is a blank stare - but she understands this, because she never though cave diving sounded like a good idea until she tried it herself. Captivated by the experience, she moved to Mexico and has spent the past 20 years devoting her life to cave diving and exploration. In this seminar, Natalie will share her imagery, stories, and passion for the dark side of diving.

Sam Muka is an associate professor of science, technology, and society at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. Her book, Oceans under Glass (University of Chicago Press, 2022) examines the history of tank craft and the impact of the development of specialized aquariums on marine knowledge production. Her current project traces the history of coastal infrastructure in the United States from 1940-2000. Her work has been published in The Atlantic, Slate, Scientific American, and American Scientist.

Brendan Talwar has worked around the world - from The Bahamas to Fiji to Australia - researching sharks and rays, and sharing that journey with students and the public along the way. He is based in Southern California, where he is a postdoctoral scholar at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Brendan works in the Semmens Lab on research that supports real-world ocean management. Their projects range from studying shark bycatch with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, to investigating toxicant pollution in local marine fishes, to analyzing citizen science data from REEF to support marine conservation. He is passionate about building a future with healthy, sustainable fisheries and looks forward to doing his part to help make that future a reality.

Natalie L. Gibb's passion in life is underwater cave exploration and conservation. With her exploration partner Vincent Rouquette-Cathala, she has led her team to discover over 20 previously unknown cave systems in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, mapping more than 90 kilometers of cave passageways. She is a public speaker, author, photographer and videographer, and a member of the Woman Diver's Hall of Fame, where she additionally serves on the board of trustees. Natalie is co-owner of Under the Jungle, a cave diver training center in Mexico, and is a TDI Cave Instructor and Instructor Trainer.