Our May Fish of the Month is the Foxface Rabbitfish, Siganus vulpinus!
REEF members are the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. A diverse community of divers, snorkelers, and ocean enthusiasts support our mission to conserve marine environments worldwide.
This month we highlight Matt Wilbur, a REEF member from California. He joined REEF in 2021, started conducting surveys in 2023, and has conducted more than 220 surveys in the California, Pacific Northwest and Alaska (PAC) survey region in less than a year! We are excited to feature Matt this month and are thankful that he is part of REEF!
You're invited to join us on Thursday, May 9 at 8pm ET for a special webinar, Oceans for All: Exploring Diverse Experiences in Marine Conservation. This webinar celebrates the voices and experiences of people who are making an impact in marine conservation. The webinar will feature a diverse panel of marine conservation professionals who will come together to discuss and share their unique professional journeys through the field.
We are excited to welcome the following amazing panelists:
REEF is seeking experienced divers (Advanced Open Water and 50+ dives) to assist with a new citizen science initiative, the SMILE project.
The SMILE project (Size Matters: Innovative Length Estimate) estimates lengths of important fish species in the water using special underwater cameras. The data collected from this project will support fisheries management and stock assessments. Visit this page to read more about the SMILE project.
REEF is seeking experienced divers (Advanced Open Water and 50+ dives) to assist with a new citizen science initiative, the SMILE project.
The SMILE project (Size Matters: Innovative Length Estimate) estimates lengths of important fish species in the water using special underwater cameras. The data collected from this project will support fisheries management and stock assessments. Visit this page to read more about the SMILE project.
REEF Ocean Explorers Education Programs inspire people to make a difference and protect the oceans. We teach learners of all ages about marine biology, ecology, citizen science, and invasive species. To connect even more people with ocean conservation, REEF has partnered with several arts and humanities organizations to create programs and events that highlight connections between science and the arts.
Registration is open for the fifth annual REEF Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K! This event brings people together in the spirit of health, community, and conservation. From June 8-15, you can join in by getting active in celebration of World Ocean Day! You can choose your favorite activity: run, walk, hike, bike, swim, or even paddle! You can complete your 5K at your own pace and participate from anywhere in the world. For all the details and registration, visit www.REEF.org/5K.
Every year on the last Friday in April, REEF celebrates Give BIG for the Oceans. This single-day giving event is a way for the REEF community to come together to celebrate and support ocean conservation. Our fourth annual Give BIG for the Oceans is coming up on April 26, and all donations made on this day will be MATCHED up to $30,000! A special thank you to the Pelton Charitable Foundation and two anonymous REEF members for providing these matching funds. Be sure to mark April 26 on your calendar to be sure that you can take advantage of this incredible match opportunity.
Are you interested in teaching fish ID to others, but aren't sure where to begin? Check out REEF's marine life identification curricula, which is available for 15 different areas! These instructor-led courses include everything you need to teach divers and snorkelers about some of the most commonly encountered species in a given region. Dive shops, clubs, and instructors can use this resource to introduce divers and snorkelers to citizen science and marine life identification.