Meet our November Fish of the Month, the Palette Surgeonfish, Paracanthurus hepatus!
Education is an essential part of marine conservation, and REEF is committed to making ocean education accessible and fun for as many people as possible. Through the REEF Oceans for All initiative, we aim to create opportunities for equity-deserving individuals and groups to build their own unique connections with the ocean. Oceans for All supports scholarships, programming, and outreach activities to provide immersive, hands-on learning and exploration.
The votes are in, and we're excited to share the results of the 2023 Discover the Sea Photography Contest! We had an incredible response to this year's contest, with more than 500 photos submitted and over 6,500 votes, making this a very competitive and successful year! First, second, and third place winners were selected for each photo category, including Fish Portrait, Macro, Invertebrate, REEF Surveyor, and Habitat/Seascape/Environment. Click here to view all the winning photos.
REEF Fest is nearly here, and we couldn't be more excited for our annual marine conservation celebration happening next week (Oct. 19-22) in Key Largo! If you're planning to attend, we look forward to seeing you there. If you haven't yet registered, you can still make plans to join us for ocean presentations, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and fun evening socials. Check out all the details and register for REEF Fest at www.REEF.org/REEFfest.
Last month, 22 teams of scuba divers took to the water and collected 1,898 invasive lionfish during the 14th Annual REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival. Derby teams fished from sunrise to sunset on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9. On Sunday, Sept. 10, participants gathered at Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina in Islamorada for a community celebration. The festival featured lionfish tastings, cooking and dissection demos, games, interactive booths, and live music.
REEF online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what's coming up this month:
Fishinar: The Colorful Fish of Curacao
Thursday, October 12, 8pm EDT
Click here to register.
Headed to Curacao? Nestled between Aruba and Bonaire, this island has a great variety of fish species. Join us to learn about some of the species found here!
Meet our October Fish of the Month, the Red-lipped Batfish, Ogcocephalus darwini!
Survey Regions: Red-lipped Batfish are found in the Galapagos Islands, part of REEF's Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) survey region. Originally thought to be endemic to the Galapagos, they have also been recorded south off the coast of Peru. Click here to view a sightings report for this species.
REEF Field Survey Trips are eco-vacations led by marine life experts. Each trip features daily dives and fish ID classes for both beginners and experienced surveyors. Divers, snorkelers, and families are all welcome. If you're looking for a Caribbean getaway this spring, the upcoming REEF Field Survey Trip to Utila offers an amazing chance to dive the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world! Although it's the smallest of the three Bay Islands of Honduras, Utila has over 100 dive sites, including wrecks, huge drop-offs, and seamounts.
We're wrapping up a busy and rewarding summer season for the REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program! We hosted virtual, in person, and field-based programs for ocean lovers of all ages, from inter-generational programs designed for grandparents and their grandchildren to learn about marine life of the Florida Keys together, to weeklong trips with classroom lessons, snorkeling and kayaking, and even online programs to help people experience the ocean from their home or classroom.
REEF Fest is an annual event for ocean lovers. It includes free educational presentations, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, nature tours, and socials. It's all happening on October 19-22 in Key Largo, Florida. You can check out all the details at www.REEF.org/REEFfest. We're excited to welcome an amazing lineup of guest speakers this year, including: