Meet our October Fish of the Month, the Red-lipped Batfish, Ogcocephalus darwini!
Survey Regions: Red-lipped Batfish are found in the Galapagos Islands, part of REEF's Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) survey region. Originally thought to be endemic to the Galapagos, they have also been recorded south off the coast of Peru. Click here to view a sightings report for this species.
This year we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP). We are amazed and in awe of how the program has grown, and are so grateful to the over 17,000 volunteers who have conducted surveys through the years. The first surveys were conducted in July 1993 in Key Largo, FL. Since then, the VFSP has been expanded to waters around the world and has been modified to include invertebrates and algae in colder temperate waters. The database is approaching 300,000 surveys!
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. Divers, snorkelers, and families are all welcome. If you're looking for a Caribbean getaway this spring, the upcoming REEF Field Survey Trip to Utila offers an amazing chance to dive the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world! Although it's the smallest of the three Bay Islands of Honduras, Utila has over 100 dive sites, including wrecks, huge drop-offs, and seamounts.
Welcome to Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to celebrate those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Here are achievements from July, August and September 2023:
Juvenile Hamlet Award
The Juvenile Hamlet Award is for individuals who have conducted 500+ REEF surveys. Congratulations to our latest Juvenile Hamlet Club members, Marilyn and Robert Bentley! Read more about the Juvenile Hamlet award and others who have achieved it.
We're wrapping up a busy and rewarding summer season for the REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program! We hosted virtual, in person, and field-based programs for ocean lovers of all ages, from inter-generational programs designed for grandparents and their grandchildren to learn about marine life of the Florida Keys together, to weeklong trips with classroom lessons, snorkeling and kayaking, and even online programs to help people experience the ocean from their home or classroom.
REEF Fest is an annual event for ocean lovers. It includes free educational presentations, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, nature tours, and socials. It's all happening on October 19-22 in Key Largo, Florida. You can check out all the details at www.REEF.org/REEFfest. We're excited to welcome an amazing lineup of guest speakers this year, including:
The 14th annual REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival is finally here! Participants will take to the water to hunt lionfish from sunrise to sunset this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 8 and 9, and we can't wait to see how many invasive lionfish they remove! So far, 26 teams are registered to compete in this year's derby. Teams may register until 6:30pm on Thursday, Sept. 7. The derby will end on Sunday, Sept. 10, with a lionfish festival at the picturesque Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina in Islamorada, Florida.
Submissions for the 2023 REEF Discover the Sea Underwater Photography Contest are now open! All ocean photographers are invited to submit their favorite photos. It’s free to enter, and you may submit up to three photos per person in each of the following categories:
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. Divers, snorkelers, and families are all welcome. Only a few spaces remain on our Field Survey Trip to the Southern Sea of Cortez, happening this fall from Sept. 29-Oct. 6. Warm waters and calm seas make this a great time of year to dive in the Sea of Cortez. This unique body of water is separated from the Pacific Ocean by Mexico's Baja Peninsula.
Meet our September Fish of the Month, the Rock Gunnel, Pholis gunnellus!
Survey Regions: The Rock Gunnel is found in the temperate and cold waters of the Northeast US and Canada region. Click here to view the REEF database sightings report for this species.
Size: They grow to between 5 to 8 inches.
