Introducing our May 2021 Fish of the Month, the Bluebanded Goby (Lythrypnus dalli)!
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 REEF member David Meyer. David has conducted more than 450 REEF surveys, from the Tropical Western Atlantic, Hawaii, and Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. After living in Bermuda for many years, he now lives in Morocco and submitted some of the first REEF surveys from Cyprus!
KEY LARGO, FLA. – Fourteen teams of divers persevered through last weekend’s windy conditions to bring in 494 invasive lionfish during the 2021 Earth Day “Locals” Lionfish Derby. Teams were permitted to fish in Monroe County waters from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, April 24. More than $2,500 in cash and prizes was awarded to teams who brought in the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.
This article shares some environmentally focused activities happening in the Florida Keys in celebration of Earth Day, including REEF's Earth Day Lionfish Derby.
This article features some upcoming events at REEF, with a focus on the Florida Keys. Events highlighed include the Earth Day Lionfish Derby, Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K, and Ocean Explorers Summer Camp.
April is both Earth Month and Citizen Science Month. Join us all month for an Earth Day Quest - a fun way to explore REEF's marine conservation programs and the ways you can get involved! On the self-led journey, you’ll get the chance to share your REEF stories with friends, expand your fish ID skills, go on a REEF website scavenger hunt, and more!
Click here to start your Earth Day Quest. It's free to join, and everyone who registers through the Earth Day Quest webpage will receive a small surprise in the mail!
When you're ready to start planning your next trip, consider joining a REEF Field Survey Trip for a fun and meaningful dive vacation. Below are our upcoming trips, including some with space remaining later this year, as well as our newly released 2022 schedule, and a sneak peek of 2023. REEF Trips are led by marine life experts, and include diving, seminars about fish identification, and plenty of fun with friends. Not a scuba diver? No problem. Snorkelers are welcome on REEF Trips.
Registration is open for the second annual Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K! From June 7-13, 2021, we're encouraging ocean enthusiasts everywhere to get moving in the name of conservation. You can choose to run, walk, hike, bike, or even swim, completing the 5K (3.1 miles) in one day or throughout the week. No matter how you participate, it’s a great way to get active in your community while making your miles count. Last year, nearly 500 people joined in our first ever 5K, and we're planning for an even bigger event this year.
REEF Ocean Explorers Summer Camp will immerse children into an ocean of learning and fun! Explorers will learn about the underwater world and all of its amazing creatures during a week filled with creative activities and adventures. Each camp session runs Monday - Friday, 9 am - 3 pm. All sessions will be hosted at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.
2021 Ocean Explorers Camp sessions include:
• June 14-18 (ages 8-10)
• June 28-July 2 (ages 11-13)
• June 12-16 (ages 8-10)