July is here, and so is the Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC) — a fun, worldwide celebration of fishwatching and citizen science. Every July, divers and snorkelers around the globe jump in to learn about marine diversity and conduct fish surveys as part of REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Whether you're a seasoned surveyor or picking up a slate for the first time, there's a way for you to take part.
Ways to get involved:
Meet our July Fish of the Month, the Cherubfish, Centropyge argi — a pocket-sized stunner that proves the best things really do come in small packages. Also known as the Pygmy Angelfish, this is the smallest angelfish in the tropical Western Atlantic, and one of the most beloved by divers lucky enough to spot one.
Looking for an unforgettable dive adventure this summer? A shared male space has become available on both of REEF's upcoming Field Survey Trips, giving you one last chance to join fellow ocean enthusiasts on an incredible week of diving and citizen science. Additional spaces on Tobago are also available.
Mark your calendars: REEF Fest returns to Key Largo, Florida, October 15-18, 2026, and registration is officially open!
Please join us in welcoming Dylan Sanchez to the REEF team as our new Outreach Coordinator, based at the REEF Campus in Key Largo.
We're excited to share that REEF has been chosen as one of the first host organizations for Claude Corps, a new national fellowship program from Anthropic that places early-career talent within mission-driven nonprofits.
In recent decades, many shark and ray populations have declined dramatically. In the wider Caribbean, this trend became apparent in the 2000s, when researchers from Dalhousie University used REEF survey data to conduct a regional assessment of reef-associated shark sightings.
Welcome to the Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to celebrate those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Here are achievements from April, May and June 2026.
100 Survey Milestone
Congratulations to those who have reached this milestone within the last three months:
Danielle Nielsen
Lionel Charles
Carol Risdall
Francis Malinosky-Rummell
Mariette Brommelcamp
Morgan Lyons
Paul Terkelsen
Experience Level Advancements
Logging 1,000 REEF surveys is no small feat. REEF member Lynn Fulks of San Diego County just completed her 1,000th survey dive at Atlantis Resort in Puerto Galera, Philippines, diving with the Water Planet Images group she joins every year. Lynn's journey to REEF and her Golden Status started in 2006, when she was inspired by Golden Hamlet Linda Ridley in Bonaire. Living aboard their sailing catamaran Blue Marine, Linda taught Lynn and her husband Todd the REEF ID courses and pushed Lynn all the way to Level 5 in the TWA region.
July is right around the corner, which means it is almost time for the Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC)! This annual event is a time meant to celebrate and amplify the power of citizen science, and we hope you all will join in on the fun!
