REEF is proud to share that a generous grant from United Way of Collier and the Keys made it possible for free bus transportation for 300 students from Key Largo School to visit the REEF Ocean Exploration Center for hands-on educational field trips as part of REEF's Ocean For All program. Check out this highlight film!
Welcome to our quarterly REEF Campus update from Key Largo. This winter marked an exciting milestone for us: it was our first “snowbird season” with the new Ocean Exploration Center fully open, and the energy on campus has reflected it.
A paper recently published in the journal Fish and Fisheries explores 70 years of visual fish census techniques, including the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project. The paper, titled "Global Analysis of Shallow Underwater Fish Observation Research: 70 Years of Progress, Persistent Geographic Biases and a Path Forward," was one output of a multi-year Working Group called CoNCENSUS.
Winter months always bring news of one of REEF's key conservation science effots - the Grouper Moon Project, a multi-decade conservation success story protecting one of the Caribbean’s most extraordinary natural events: the largest known spawning aggregation of the endangered Nassau Grouper. We are excited to share a new short video that tells this story. Check it out on REEF's YouTube channel "We Speak Fish".
We are excited to welcome Tom Sparke to the REEF Team as Communications Manager. Tom joins us with experience spanning marine science,conservation, and storytelling. He is an accomplished underwater videographer and avid scuba diver. Tom earned a BSc in Marine Biology & Oceanography and an MSc in Tropical Coastal Management from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. His involvement with REEF began in 2016 as a volunteer scientific diver with the Grouper Moon Project, and he has participated every year since.
There is nothing better than escaping the cold winter months of January. Join REEF on our Field Survey Trip to Palau, January 17-27, 2027. A 10-night adventure aboard the Palau Aggressor II, timed perfectly with the full moon to witness the spectacular spawning of Red Snapper, Moorish Idols, and Orangespined Unicornfish. Following the Best of Palau itinerary, this trip promises world-class diving with incredible biodiversity. On our previous Palau REEF trip, we encountered rare marine life such as the elusive Blueback Pygmy Angelfish, Harlequin Grouper, and Helfrich’s Dartfish.
Our online programs are free and open to all! Check out what's coming up, and view the entire schedule of Fishinars and other online programs here.
Fishinar: Eastern Atlantic & Mediterranean Invertebrates and Algae, Pt. 2
Thursday, March 26, 8pm EDT
The 2026 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival is just around the corner, and we’re gearing up for an exciting weekend of conservation, community, and creativity this April! This event combines hands-on invasive lionfish removal with local art, science, and education. Here’s a look into what to expect:
April 23 - Kick-off Party & Captain’s Meeting (5-7:30 PM)