The 21st annual Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC) took place in July, with many dive shops, dive clubs, and other groups organizing fish ID classes, dive /snorkel days, BBQs and more fun gatherings. The concept behind the GAFC is not only to accumulate large numbers of surveys during the month of July, but to introduce divers/snorkelers to fishwatching and get them started doing REEF surveys. Groups from California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, Hawaii, Florida, North Carolina, and new to the event in 2012 - New Brunswick, all participated!
REEF members are at the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Over 50,000 divers, snorkelers, students, and armchair naturalists stand behind our mission.
This month we highlight Valerie Lyttle. Valerie joined REEF in 2004 and has conducted 437 surveys. She is a member of REEF's Pacific Advanced Assessment Team. Here's what she had to say about REEF:
When and how did you first volunteer with REEF? How did you first hear about REEF?
A big fish thanks to our recent active surveyors. Since the beginning of the year, 458 volunteers have conducted REEF surveys. A total of 4,353 surveys were conducted and submitted during this time (January - July 2012)!
To date, 162,059 surveys have been conducted by REEF volunteers.
REEF members who have conducted the most surveys in the last seven months (with survey number shown):
Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) - Dee Scarr (140), Franklin Neal (126), Michael Phelan (118), Dave Grenda (115), Isobel Flake (76), Douglas Harder (66)
There is just one week left to Double Your Donation as part of our Summer Fundraising Campaign. We are so close to reaching our goal of raising $60,000 in 60 days! Please help us in this final stretch, every donation counts! You can contribute through our secure website at www.REEF.org/contribute, mail your donation to REEF at PO Box 246 - Key Largo, FL 33037, or call us at 305-852-0030. Double your donation and ensure REEF’s marine conservation programs can continue.
Learn the tricks of the trade for IDing the big guys in the Grouper class. For more information or to register please see our Fishinar page. This presentation begins at 8:00pm EDT so please note the time zone.
Tracey Griffin leads this class through a number of lookalike species found in the Tropical Western Atlantic. For more information or to register check out our Fishinar page. Please be aware of the time zone- this fishinar starts at 8:00pm EDT.
Let Jonathan Lavan guide through the tricks to tell all those Gobies apart. He'll be covering the top 12 Gobies spotted in the Caribbean. For more information and to register check out our Fishinar page! Please note the time zone- this presentation is at 8:00pm EDT.
Anna DeLoach presents her Fishinar on the wonderfully adorable Blennies! For more information and to register check out our Fishinar page. Double check your time zone! This presentation starts at 8:00pm EST.
REEF Fish Identification Class to be held on Wednesday July 25th from 6-9 p.m at Hydrosports Dive and Travel (REEF Field Station). For more information please contact mark@hydrosports.com (503) 304-5385 or cccline@hotmail.com (503) 391-5969.
Hydrosports Dive and Travel: 3846 River Road North, Keiser, Oregon
Check out the Fish Survey Dive and Pot Luck on July 28th at Salt Water State Park!
Join in for a fun day at the Salt Water State Park, conduct a survey dive or two and meet for a pot luck barbecue between dives.
Grills will be provided, as well as hot dogs and buns. Bring a pot luck dish to share and your own beverages. REEF slates and survey paper will be available. Join us between 10 am and 4 pm. Barbecue around 12. Please RSVP to cccline@hotmail.com (Carol Cline) if you plan to join us or for more information.