Last year, REEF launched a new monitoring project called the Species Snapshot. The goal of this project is to monitor Florida's coastline by gathering baseline data on under-surveyed areas and alternative habitats.
We are excited to welcome our Fall 2022 Marine Conservation Interns to REEF! As a part of our team, they will assist with education, outreach, events, and daily operations around the REEF Campus. Joining us this semester are:
The REEF Conservation Challenge is a way to earn stickers while participating in REEF programs. This month, in honor of the 13th annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival, we're highlighting the Invasive Species Challenge. There are several ways to complete this challenge and earn the accompanying sticker, and one way is to participate in a REEF Lionfish Derby. If you're in the Florida Keys or South Florida, check out the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival this weekend in Islamorada.
Did you know that REEF has marine life identification curricula for 15 different areas? Hot off the press are the latest, brand new curricula: Fishes of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS), and Fishes of the Red Sea. These instructor-led curricula include everything you need to teach divers and snorkelers about some of the most commonly encountered species in a given area.
The votes are in, and we're pleased to share the results of the 2022 Discover the Sea Photography Contest! There were more than 300 entries submitted and over 2,500 votes cast in this year's contest. First through third place winners were selected in six different categories including: Temperate Fish Portrait, Tropical Fish Portrait, Macro, Invertebrate, REEF in Action, and Habitat/Seascape/Environment. The photo pictured is one of the winners in the Tropical Fish Portrait Category.
Meet our September Fish of the Month, the Masked Butterflyfish, Chaetodon semilarvatus!
Survey Regions: The Masked Butterflyfish is found in from the Red Sea to the Guld of Aden. This area is part of the Indian Ocean & Red Sea (IORS) survey region. Click here to see a distribution report for this species.
Size: They grow to about 10 inches long.
Take a bite out of lionfish at the 13th annual REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival, coming up on Sept. 8-11. The event features two full days of lionfish hunting, plus a family-friendly lionfish festival.
Now that our summer fundraising campaign has come to a close, we want to say a sincere thank you to all who made a gift to REEF. Because of your support, we were able to meet our goal and take advantage of our full donation match this summer. We are so thankful to The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, The Henry Foundation, and The Meyer Foundation for their generosity in matching donations.
You're invited to join us for REEF Fest on October 13-16, 2022 in Key Largo, Florida. REEF Fest is an annual celebration of marine conservation, featuring free ocean-themed seminars, eco-excursions, social events, and more. This year's seminar speaker lineup includes:
REEF Fest is coming up on October 13-16, and you can earn a Conservation Challenge sticker by attending the event! REEF Fest is an annual marine conservation celebration in Key Largo, Florida. Join us for diving, snorkeling, kayaking, ocean seminars, and socials. See all the details and register at www.REEF.org/REEFfest.
For more information about the Conservation Challenge and details about other stickers you can add to your collection, visit www.REEF.org/conservationchallenge.