Greetings!

While fall used to be a slower time here at REEF, this year we are busier than ever. In addition to working with scientists to get them up-to-date species data and continuing to coordinate and expand the citizen science Fish Survey Project to new regions, the REEF staff is involved in a variety of marine conservation issues including the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean and associated waters and endangered species spawning aggregation research. This issue of REEF-in-Brief features updates from several of these programs.

I am excited to announce the launch of our Winter Fundraising Campaign. During this holiday season, please consider a contribution to protect and conserve our marine eco-systems. Donate today using our secure online form, call REEF HQ at 305-852-0030, or mail in your donation to REEF, PO Box 246, Key Largo, FL 33037. Members who donate $250 or more will receive a limited, signed, and numbered print of a beautiful Peppermint Basslet.

  • A great last minute opportunity to join renowned photographer and REEF co-founder, Paul Humann, for a week of fish watching and learning. Two spaces (one cabana) just opened up on each week of his upcoming trip to the San Blas Islands in the Caribbean Sea off Panama, June 9-16 and June 16-23, 2012. You will stay in one of these beautiful over-water bungalows. Grab a space before it's too late. Email or call our friends at Caradonna today. 1-877-295-7333 (REEF), REEF@caradonna.com.

Every month, scientists, government agencies, and other groups request raw data from REEF’s Fish Survey Project database. Here is a sampling of who has asked for REEF data recently and what they are using it for:

- A scientist from Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) requested REEF data to evaluate fish assemblages in Bermuda with regard to no-take reserves, comparing shallow vs. deep water habitats, and to evaluate the impact of invasive lionfish.

We kicked off our 2016 REEF Trip schedule this month with two great trips - a Lionfish Research Expedition in Dominica and a Field Survey Trip to Barbados. And those are just the beginning. We have a great lineup of destinations for 2016 and we recently announced several exciting destinations for 2017, including the Galapagos and the Solomon Islands. The complete 2017 schedule will be released next month. For complete details and schedule of REEF Trips, visit www.REEF.org/trips.

We’re excited to introduce REEF’s new Marine Conservation Interns for the Fall 2018 semester. These four individuals will support the REEF team in mission-oriented tasks and daily office operations, as well as assist in the Upper Keys Lionfish Derby and REEF’s biggest event of the year, REEF Fest. They will also have opportunities to scuba dive, conduct fish surveys, and volunteer with environmental organizations in South Florida and the Florida Keys. This semester’s interns bring diverse skills and interests to REEF. They include: 

Last month, a team of scientists represented REEF at the 76th annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) conference, held in The Bahamas. REEF programs and data were represented by REEF Co-Executive Director, Dr. Christy Pattengill-Semmens, and Conservation Science Associate, Lex Bryant, as well as our partners from Scripps Institute of Oceanography (Dr. Brice Semmens) and Oregon State University (Dr. Scott Heppell). 

 

Package includes: 7 nights ocean suite (pp/double), 6 days of 2x1‐hour 2‐tank boat trips, unlimited shore diving, free dive computer rental, full meal or breakfast plan, tax & service, airport transfers, welcome cocktail, wifi! Free meal plan day, free night & free dive day included!

$1705 pp double diver (one bedroom suite); $1690 pp 2-bedroom oceanfront suite (quad occupancy), great for 1 couple and 2 singles (the previously published rate of $1580 pp double occ diver ocean room is SOLD OUT); 

Package Includes: Round trip Airport Transfers and all local taxes; 7 night standard double occupancy room accommodations at Safari Inn and 5 days of 2 tank boat dives at Aqua Safari. Note meals are on your own, but there are many excellent restaurants just a few steps away from the Inn.

$725 for Single Occupancy; $578 pp for Double Occupancy

+ $250 REEF Program Fee per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar and survey materials, and data management.

REEF Field Surveys are a great way to take a dive vacation that counts! We offer trips throughout our project regions. The 2014 trip schedule includes many sites in the Caribbean and Pacific Northwest, as well as several Lionfish Research Expeditions.

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