We are happy to share the results of our first underwater photography contest! Thank you to everyone who voted and a special thanks to all of the members who submitted photos! We had more than 120 entries from all over the world, showcasing some incredible marine life. More than 2,500 votes decided the "popular vote" winners in each of the six categories - Fish Portrait, Macro, Invertebrate, Invasive Species, REEF Surveyors, and Environment/Reefscape/Habitat. Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you to everyone for your participation.
Ciguatera fish poisoning is a global public health concern that is associated with Gambierdiscus, a genus of harmful algae found in coral reef environments that includes species known to produce toxins (ciguatoxins). It is thought that the pathway of Ciguatera toxins is through the food web, originating with herbivores that have fed on Gambierdiscus-associated macroalgae.
Congratulations to the following REEF members who have recently moved up an Experience Level in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project!
Volunteers have the opportunity to advance through 5 levels (Novice through Expert) within each of our survey project regions. Experience Levels are obtained by a combination of fish/invertebrate ID tests and numbers of submitted surveys. As they advance, their data is categorized in our online sightings database accordingly.
This article highlighting REEF Fest 2019 was published by SCUBA & H2O Adventures magazine.
Join REEF staff members Ellie Place and Janna Nichols in Monterey on Sept. 27-29 for three days of diving, California marine life ID classes and fun!
We welcome both experienced surveyors and those new to fishwatching (and everyone in between).
Earth is Blue is the magazine of NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries. This article is about the Great Annual Fish Count and Volunteer Fish Survey Project, how citizen science helps sanctuaries, and why marine sanctuaries are important for REEF's work.
There is less than a month left in our annual summer fundraising campaign, and that means there is less than a month left to have your donation matched! Thanks to the generosity of three longtime supporters, all donations made this summer will be matched dollar for dollar up to $70,000! We are so thankful to everyone who has already contributed to our summer fundraising campaign, enabling us to continue our marine conservation work.
Each spring, REEF hosts REEF by the Sea, held the first full weekend in March (alternating between San Diego and South Florida). These events feature seminars and program updates, silent auctions, opportunities for diving, and a chance to mingle with REEF staff, other REEF partners and friends, and our Board of Trustees. Sustainers will be invited to REEF by the Sea in California on March 6-8, 2020, to enjoy food, drinks, special presentations by scientists and prominent figures in marine science, and networking with other REEF members.
We hope you can join us in Key Largo for REEF Fest 2019 sponsored by Capital Bank Foundation, on Oct. 17-20! REEF Fest is an annual four-day celebration to acknowledge the success of marine conservation and education initiatives in the Florida Keys. Events include educational ocean-themed seminars, social gatherings, diving, and eco-adventures alongside some of the most prestigious names in diving and marine conservation. All REEF Fest events are open to the public, but pre-registration is requested.