With 15,000 tube feet and up to 24 arms, the world's largest and fastest sea star species, the Sunflower Sea Star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, is found from Baja Mexico to Alaska. Over the last seven years, this magnificent species has suffered a dramatic decline due to a wasting disease. Many fear that the species may be on the brink of extinction. To quantify the decline and possibly establish grounds for protections and intervention, REEF joined in a partnership of more than 60 institutions led by The Nature Conservancy and Oregon State University.
KEY LARGO, FLA. – All are invited to register for REEF’s Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K, to be held from June 7-13, 2021, coinciding with World Oceans Day on June 8. Participants may choose their preferred exercise (run, walk, bike, hike, swim) to support ocean conservation. Individuals may complete the 5K (3.1 miles) at their own pace; in one day or over the course of the week.
KEY LARGO, FLA. – In spite of Tropical Storm Sally’s unexpected appearance over south Florida, 23 teams took to the water this weekend, bringing in a total of 1,321 invasive lionfish during the 2020 Upper Keys Lionfish Derby; the most fish ever harvested at a REEF Lionfish Derby held in the Florida Keys. Teams were permitted to fish anywhere in Florida, from sunrise to sunset on Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12. More than $4,000 in cash and prizes was awarded to teams who brought in the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.
KEY LARGO, FLA. – Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) will host its 11th Annual Upper Keys Lionfish Derby, Thursday Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 13. During this socially-distant event, divers will compete to remove as many invasive lionfish as possible. Cash prizes will be awarded to the teams who harvest the most, largest, and smallest lionfish. The “most lionfish” category will include the competitive Apex Predators division, as well as the Reef Defenders division, intended for more casual lionfish hunters. Teams may choose to register in either division.
Run, walk, hike, or bike to support ocean conservation
KEY LARGO, FLA. – All are invited to register for REEF’s Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K, to be held from Sept. 28 – Oct. 4. Participants may choose their preferred exercise (run, walk, bike, hike, etc.) to support ocean conservation. Each individual may complete the 5K (3.1 miles) at their own pace; in one day or over the course of the week.
As we celebrate REEF's 30th anniversary this year, we are reflecting on the people who helped make REEF the extraordinary organization it is today. One of these individuals is our co-founder, Paul Humann. After serving as president of REEF and as chairman of REEF’s Board of Trustees for the past 30 years, Paul is now transitioning from these roles. In celebration of Paul’s contributions to REEF, we are pleased to honor him by naming him as REEF’s first Trustee Emeritus.
We are excited to announce that the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project database topped 200,000 earlier this fall. The survey was conducted by active surveyor, Kreg Martin, during a survey Cape Kri in Dampier Strait, Indonesia, on 10/15/ 2015.
Here's Kreg's story of getting involved with REEF in the tropical Pacific and the lucky 200,000 survey:
May 2020 Update: Due to the situation surrounding COVID-19, Ocean Explorers Camp will not be offered this summer. Please check our calendar for information about upcoming events.
Three weeklong camp sessions to be offered in Key Largo this June and July
Nassau Grouper populations increased threefold in response to dynamic fishing management actions in the Cayman Islands
A new study from the Grouper Moon Project has documented a successful recovery effort among Nassau Grouper populations in the Cayman Islands. It also highlights the value of collaborative efforts for conservation success.