REEF Field Survey Trips are eco-vacations led by marine life experts. Each trip features daily dives and fish ID classes for both beginners and experienced surveyors. This spring, we're headed to the stunning Caribbean island of St. Lucia for a week of fish surveys and fun! We'll stay at Anse Chastanet Resort and take in beautiful views of both the ocean and the mountains while enjoying daily dives with Scuba St. Lucia. The entire region is a protected marine area and excellent, easily accessible beach diving is available directly in front of the resort.
The Golden Hamlet Club is a highly dedicated group of surveyors who have conducted 1,000 or more REEF surveys as part of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. We are filled with fishy delight to welcome Todd Cliff to the Golden Hamlet Club! Todd started surveying in 2002 in Washington state. He has conducted surveys in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii regions, and has reached Expert Level status in both!
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: Common Fishes of the Galapagos
Tuesday, February 20, 8pm EST
Click here to register.
The Galapagos Islands are known for their biodiversity, endemic species, and large pelagic fish. Join us to learn about some of the most commonly seen species there.
Our February Fish of the Month is the Hawaiian (Green) Lionfish, Dendrochirus barberi!
Survey Regions: Hawaiian Lionfish are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, meaning this is the only place in the world they are found! Click here to view the REEF database report for this species in the HAW survey region.
Size: They grow to a maximum length of 6.5 inches.
Last month, we wrapped up the year-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP). Since its launch in 1993, this citizen science program has generated one of the largest marine life databases in the world. Here are a few stats to recap a great year!
We are very excited to welcome two new staff to the REEF Team - Jill Kuehnert (right) as Campus Director and Dr. Kindra Bartz (left) as Operations Manager. Both are based at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida.
REEF Field Survey Trips are eco-vacations led by marine life experts. Each trip features daily dives and fish ID classes for both beginners and experienced surveyors. Looking for an amazing dive trip this spring? We have a few spaces left on our much-anticipated trip to Indonesia aboard the Blue Manta liveaboard. This a 12-night trip is a one-way crossing through some of the most exotic dive destinations in Indonesia, including Raja Ampat, Ring of Fire, Alor, Maumere and more.
The winter full moon is just a few weeks away, and that means REEF scientists and research partners are gearing up to study endangered Nassau Grouper spawning aggregations in the Cayman Islands. 2024 marks the 22nd year of the Grouper Moon Project, a collaborative research effort between REEF, the Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DoE), and scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and Oregon State University, aimed at studying one of the largest and last known spawning aggregations of endangered Nassau Grouper.
We're gearing up for another great year of marine conservation, and we hope you can join us to celebrate at a REEF event this year.
REEF by the Sea - March 1-3, in La Jolla, California: REEF Sustainers receive an invitation to this annual event, held each spring in either California or Florida. The weekend includes guest speakers such as scientists and other experts, plus socials and REEF program updates. For more information about donor recognition levels, visit this page.
Our first Fish of the Month for 2024 is the Kelp Greenling, Hexagrammos decagrammus!
Survey Regions: Kelp Greenlings are found throughout the PAC REEF survey region, from Alaska to northern and central California. They are also present (but less common) in southern California. Click here to view the REEF database report for this species.