REEF members are the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. A diverse community of divers, snorkelers, and ocean enthusiasts support our mission to conserve marine environments worldwide.
With Valentine's Day coming up, we have the perfect Fish of the Month for February. Meet the Chocolate Dip Damselfish (Pycnochromis hanui)!
REEF's online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what is coming up in the next several weeks:
Tropical Pacific Damselfishes Pt. 1
Thursday, February 28, 8pm EST
Click here to register.
Those darn Damselfishes! Join us as we get some tips and tricks to tell them apart in the Tropical Pacific. This is part 1 of a 2-part series - catch part 2 on April 4!
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Grouper Moon Project, and we are excited to report that our team was once again able to get into the field after missing last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. For ten days around the January full moon, our team conducted research to document the Nassau Grouper spawning aggregation on the west end of Little Cayman - the largest and one of the last known aggregations of these endangered reef fish.
We are very excited to introduce the newest member of the REEF Team, Dr. Rachel Walls. Rachel began working with REEF in January 2022, and will continue ongoing research started by previous REEF Research Associate, Dr. Dan Greenberg. This body of work seeks to leverage the extensive REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project dataset by asking fundamental and applied questions in fisheries science, marine ecology, and conservation biology.
We are hard at work creating an exciting schedule of REEF Field Survey Trips for 2023 and beyond. Keep an eye on your inbox in March for the official announcement and registration. Be sure to book early because REEF Trips often sell out. Destinations in the works include Guanaja, Saba, Curacao, Red Sea, and more! Today, we are excited to open registration for the REEF Field Survey Trip to Belize aboard the Belize Aggressor IV, on January 21-28, 2023. Click here for more details.
Diversity is one of nature’s greatest strengths, and it should be ours as well. REEF is committed to using our programs, platform, and voice to support foundational change in marine conservation. Through the REEF Oceans for All initiative, we aim to foster opportunities for individuals from underrepresented communities to build connections with the ocean. Oceans for All supports scholarships, programming, and outreach activities to provide immersive, hands-on learning and exploration.
Immerse yourself in an engaging and hands-on citizen science experience this summer by joining in one of our new REEF Ocean Explorers Education Programs. Led by our education staff, these programs feature multi-disciplinary activities and lessons in biology, ecology, conservation, and more.
Ocean Explorers Field Survey Trip - Guanacaste, Costa Rica: July 23-30, 2022
The best way to get through a chilly winter? Book a dive vacation to a tropical island! Space is still available on the REEF Field Survey Trip to St. Lucia on May 7-14. We'll stay at the amazing Anse Chatanet Resort, an environmentally-conscious, luxury property with plenty of amenities and delicious food. The onsite dive operator, Scuba St. Lucia, is a REEF Conservation Partner. The entire resort is surrounded by a protected marine area, and easily accessible beach diving is available at the house reef. When not diving or snorkeling, guests can enjoy sea kayaking, jungle biking, and yoga.
A new year is here, and plans are in the works for our annual REEF events:
REEF Fest 2022 - October 13-16 in Key Largo, Florida: Don't miss this four-day celebration of marine conservation! Events include diving, snorkeling, ocean-themed seminars, and socials. We are confirming details for this year's event. For now, please save the date and keep an eye on www.REEF.org/REEFfest for more information.