REEF Staff and Board members are proud to announce the release of our 2013 Annual Report. To view a PDF of the report online, click here. In this report, you will find updates on our membership, the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, regional activities, special projects including Invasive Lionfish Research and the Grouper Moon Project, data use and publications, our upcoming plans, and finances. We are truly grateful for all your support that made 2013 such a success!
Acoustic tagging is one of the most powerful marine conservation technologies currently available. REEF uses this technology in both the Grouper Moon Project and the Invasive Lionfish Program to help determine movement, ranges, behavior, and more. But tags and receivers are expensive! We need your help in furthering REEF's valuable marine conservation initiatives by supporting the purchase and implementation of these valuable tools. You can donate securely online at www.REEF.org/contribute. Read on to learn more about these high-tech tools.
We are proud to release REEF's 2016 Annual Report, reviewing accomplishments from our ocean conservation and education programs. Click here to view the Annual Report. In the report, we highlight many achievements and successes in 2016, such as:
On April 19th, nine Whole Foods Market stores across South Florida will be supporting ocean conservation. Stores in Coral Springs, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, and West Palm Beach will donate 5% of their total sales from the day to REEF, to support our South Florida conservation efforts. Whole Foods Markets® has been working with REEF to help develop the market for invasive lionfish and is this year's derby series title sponsor.
Every month, scientists, government agencies, and other groups request raw data from REEF’s Fish Survey Project database. Recent examples of data requests include:
- Staff from MacArthur State Beach Park in Florida are using REEF data to evaluate fish populations in the park.
- Researchers at SeaDoc Society and Washington Department of Fish and Game are using REEF data to evaluate Northern (Pinto) Abalone in Washington State
This summer, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of REEF's cornerstone citizen science program, the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Our annual summer fundraising campaign kicked off on World Oceans Day on June 8, and since then, thanks to the support of members like you, we were able to reach our goal of raising $60,000 to support our conservation programs!
REEF Fest is just ten days away! Sponsored by Capital Bank Foundation, REEF Fest is an annual celebration of marine conservation held in Key Largo, Florida, on Oct. 17-20. The event features diving, ocean-themed seminars, and social events. REEF Fest is open to the public, and most events are free to attend. To see the complete schedule, visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest.
We recently added a few new products to our online store, including t-shirts and neck gaiters featuring colorful and unique designs that showcase each of of our core programs - the Grouper Moon Project, Invasive Species Program, and Volunteer Fish Survey Project. The new designs are printed on Comfort Colors brand t-shirts, which are soft, cozy, and pre-shrunk.
REEF Ocean Explorers Education Programs engage and inspire learners of all ages to protect and conserve our oceans. Our programs topics include biology, ecology, citizen science, and invasive species, and are designed to help participate understand the importance of marine conservation and how they can make a difference. To reach new audiences and connect even more people with ocean conservation, we're also highlighting connections between arts, humanities, and science.
We are so excited for the 16th annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival! Starting this year, we are combining the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby with the annual Arts & Science Festival to form a conservation and arts festival! It will all take place at the REEF Campus and will feature vendors including artisans and local non-profits, along with lionfish scoring, fun conservation science and art activities, music, educational and cooking demos, food trucks and drinks, free lionfish tastings, raffle, and derby awards ceremony!