Let’s Celebrate! Every three months, we celebrate our surveyors’ recent accomplishments in Making It Count, our monthly e-News. This includes those who have achieved Golden Hamlet and Juvenile Golden Hamlet status (1,000 surveys and 500 surveys) and Experience Level advancements. Don’t miss the recent recognitions:
The Volunteer Fish Survey Project started in the Florida Keys in 1993. Since then, the program has grown and now surveys are conducted worldwide! Check out the timeline of our survey regions below to see how the Volunteer Fish Survey Project has grown! You can read more about the VFSP here.
The 2026 REEF Field Survey Trips schedule is out, along with a few exciting trips in 2027! Join us for an unforgettable adventure filled with diving, fish ID classes, and fun with friends. Led by marine life experts, REEF Trips are open to divers, snorkelers, and families. These trips fill up fast, so don’t miss your chance to explore a dream destination with REEF.
April is Citizen Science Month, a time to celebrate the power of community-driven science. Studies have shown that citizen science has a high impact on scientific research, and REEF’s Volunteer Fish Survey Project is a great example. Divers and snorkelers like you collect critical data that supports marine research and conservation. Every survey you submit helps make a difference! Citizen Science Month is organized by SciStarter, an organization dedicated to connecting people and science.
Looking for a dive trip to learn more about marine life? Join us on a REEF Field Survey Trip! Destinations with open spaces include:
Jamaica - March 14-21, 2026
Cayman Brac - April 4-11, 2026
Fiji - April 18-28, 2026
St. Eustatius - May 9-16. 2026
Cuba - June 27-July 4, 2026
Tubbataha, Philippines - June 28-July 8, 2026
Looking for meaningful gifts this holiday season? With REEF’s Shop to Support program, your purchases can help protect oceans and fuel citizen science. By shopping through REEF’s online store or supporting partner businesses, you can give gifts that give back.
Wondering how to fix a mistake on your REEF survey? It depends on whether you’ve hit the SUBMIT button.
If your survey is still listed under “Surveys In Progress” (after the address confirmation screen), you can edit it yourself. Before submitting, we suggest reviewing your photos and confirming all IDs.
If you’ve already submitted your survey, no problem! Email us with the 7-digit survey number and details about what needs to be added, changed, or deleted, and we'll be happy to get it updated for you.
Ever recognize a fish instantly, without knowing how? That intuitive sense is called GISS or Jizz - short for “general impression of size and shape.” Originating from WWII aircraft spotting and later adopted by naturalists, it describes the instinctive recognition of a species through its overall look and behavior. The term "jizz” first appeared in an Irish natural history column in 1921, and is likely derived from the German word gestalt, meaning a complete shape or form. It's often used in birdwatching.
On average, more than 1,000 REEF surveys are submitted each month by volunteer divers worldwide, adding to the world’s most comprehensive marine fish biodiversity database. Since January 2024, 22,665 surveys have been submitted by 1,226 REEF volunteer surveyors.
In 2025, we’ve received several exciting new data requests from researchers using REEF data for important studies, including:
• North Carolina State University: studying South Atlantic marine life.
• Simon Fraser University: tracking Spiny Pink Sea Star trends in British Columbia.
At REEF, every survey you submit adds vital data to marine conservation, and we love celebrating your contributions! As you reach key milestones in the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, you’ll receive recognition along the way:
• 100 Surveys: Congrats email and printable certificate.
• 500 Surveys - Juvenile Golden Hamlet: Mailed certificate, webpage listing, and social media shoutout.