Introducing our May Fish of the Month, the Pajama Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)!
We are excited to welcome our Summer 2022 Marine Conservation Interns to REEF! As a part of our team, they will assist with Ocean Explorers Education programs, outreach events, and daily operations around the REEF Campus. They are:
The article highlights Team Forever Young's participation in the 2022 REEF Earth Day Lionfish Derby, where they collected a record 426 invasive lionfish in one day.
KEY LARGO, FLA. – Thanks to the recent efforts of four local divers, there are several hundred less invasive lionfish wreaking havoc on Florida Keys reefs. Team Forever Young, consisting of Tony Young, Jason Vogan, Jeff Tharp, and Luke Rankin, collected 426 invasive lionfish while participating in the 2022 Earth Day “Locals” Lionfish Derby, hosted by Reef Environmental Education Foundation.
In celebration of our third annual Fish Out of Water 5K taking place June 6-12, we're teaming up with Florida Keys Brewing Company to host an ocean-themed trivia night. No running is necessary - just gather a group of friends, choose a trivia team name, and come share your knowledge! You can also pick up this year's limited-edition 5K shirt by registering in person or making a donation to support the event.
We recently released the 2023 REEF Field Survey Trips schedule, and spaces are filling up fast! You can view the full schedule of upcoming trips here. This month, we're highlighting Belize and Roatan, two Caribbean destinations on every diver's must-see list.
Home to hundreds of fish species, the Salish Sea in Washington and British Columbia is one of the most biologically diverse inland seas in the world. According to a recent study pubished in the journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, REEF citizen scientists play an important role in documenting and monitoring the health of fish populations in the Salish Sea. In fact, citizen scientists who conducted surveys as part of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project helped monitor more than half of the total fish species known to occur in the Salish Sea.
The third annual Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K is coming up on June 6-12. If you haven't registered yet, visit www.REEF.org/5K to sign up today! Be sure to register before April 30 to receive the early bird registration rate. When you sign up for the 5K, you will choose to join one of five Fish Teams. Read on to learn more about our 2022 Fish Teams, and you can check out each fish's "race personality" here.
Held annually on the last Friday in April, Give BIG for the Oceans is a way for the REEF community to come together and celebrate our collective impact on ocean conservation. Our second annual Give BIG for the Oceans event is coming up on April 29. Thanks to the Pelton Charitable Foundation and an anonymous supporter, all donations made during Give BIG for the Oceans 2022 will be MATCHED up to $15,000! Be sure to mark April 29 on your calendar because you don't want to miss this amazing match opportunity.