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:
-Researchers used data on yelloweye rockfish frequency of occurrence in the San Juan Islands in Washington to evaluate population status for the San Juan County Community Development and Planning Department.
We live in a small town called Nelson, in the mountains of British Columbia about 3 hours north of Spokane Washington. In the Fall I decided to take students to Belize to study reef systems and how they may be changing. The course is called "Coral Reef Studies in Belize " and 15 grade 11 & 12 high school students from LV Rogers Secondary signed up for the trip with the help of Island Expeditions from Vancouver.
Changing Seas, an original production of Miami’s public television station WPBT2, will host a live online screening event of Alien Invaders, the series’ latest episode focusing on the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic. Alien Invaders will be screened live on the Changing Seas website (www.changingseas.tv/webcast) on Thursday, June 2nd at 7:30 p.m. EST. During the screening, dive enthusiasts will have the opportunity to join an online chat with producers and the experts featured in the program.
REEF members are at the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Over 43,000 divers, snorkelers, students, and armchair naturalists stand behind our mission.
This month we highlight Itziar Aretxaga (REEF member since 2003). Itziar has conducted 263 REEF surveys in three REEF regions, and she is a member of the Advanced Assessment Team in the Tropical Western Atlantic. Here's what Itziar had to say about REEF:
When and how did you first volunteer with REEF?
REEF is proud to partner with over 130 dive shops, dive clubs, individuals, and other organizations as REEF Field Stations
This popular trip returns in 2012 for the third year in a row. Reserve your space now, it will fill up quick.
$1995 - $2195 per person (depending on cabin type, double occupancy. Includes seven nights on board the Sun Dancer II, all meals and beverages (including well brands of alcohol and Belikin beer), transfers from/to Belize International Airport, five and ½ days of diving up to five dives per day, other standard Dancer Fleet services and amenities.
**Note that this trip is being booked directly with the operator, not through Caradonna. For more information and to book your space, please contact Amanda and Rob Zielinski, Owners / Operators of Hornby Island Diving, info@hornbyislanddiving.com, or 250-335-2807. You can also contact trip leader Janna Nichols, janna@REEF.org.
$653 for Double Occupancy per person, $800 for Single Occupancy per person. Includes round trip airport transfers and all local taxes, 7 night standard 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. Participants fly in/ut of Cozumel (airport code CZM) or in/out of Cancun (airport code CUN) and then taking a ferry over to Cozumel. Flight and ferry costs not included. Ground transportation is provided from the CZM airport to the hotel.
$2,200 per person. Includes six nights double occupancy accommodation in a stateroom with private bathroom, all meals and non-alcoholic drinks while onboard, 3 dives per day (or more if desired) for six days, and unlimited use of kayaks and other water toys. Participants will board and disembark in Tortola, BVI (accessible by Tortola - airport code EIS, or by ferry from St. Thomas in the USVI, which requires an overnight stay)
$1,929 - $3,074 (double/single occupancy); $1,429 double occupancy non-diver rate also available for your land-loving companions. Package includes 7 nights of lodging in an oceanview superior room at Grotto Bay Hotel, daily buffet breakfast with gratuities, 5 days of 2-tank boat dives with Triangle Divers, r/t airport transfers, and all hotel taxes and fees. Participants will fly in/out of Bermuda (airport code BDA).
+$300 REEF Program Fee per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar and survey materials.
