Exploring new dive sites has always fascinated me. Even if it’s a site that I’ve dived a hundred times, the idea of finding something new always intrigues me. Since joining REEF, I have also become interested in fish identification and it has completely changed how I explore a new site. Now I think, “what species of fish could I find diving here?” I always have an eye out for new potential dives sites or places I could find a species of fish I have never seen. I think this mindset fits well with the “explore” and “discover” parts of REEF’s tagline - “Explore. Discover.
Divers have access that can help save the world - become a citizen scientist and join the fight on the front lines.
REEF Experience Levels are a way for divers and snorkelers to measure their fish ID knowledge along with their surveying experience. With 5 levels in each of REEF's survey regions, divers are able to look forward to the next step and continually improve their skills. From brand new beginners up to the top Level 5 experience level, you'll find plenty of resources and friends to help you along the way.
Let's hear it for these REEF members who have improved and moved up a level this month!
Hawaii: (HAW)
We are happy to announce our 2019 Volunteers of the Year, Fred and Laura Hartner.
Fort Lauderale Derby POSTPONED until a later date still TBD
Unfortunately, REEF’s Winter Lionfish Derby Event at Sharkey’s Pub and Galley for April 4, 2020 has been cancelled. We have exhausted the options of hosting a remote competition where teams can just drop off their fish, but at this time we are going adhere to the recommendations worldwide and encourage social distancing.
We will try to reschedule the Lionfish Derby competition in some capacity if possible in the upcoming months.
Ned and Anna DeLoach of REEF's Board of Trustees wrote this article about an exploratory survey project REEF conducted in the Azores to launch the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (EAM) survey region.
There are just two spaces remaining on our Field Survey Trip to Indonesia, coming up on April 10-21, 2020 and led by Christy Pattengill Semmens, Ph.D. We are excited to experience some of the most exotic and sought-after dive destinations in Indonesia on this one-way Banda Sea crossing trip from Sorong to Maumere. We'll be covering a lot of distance during this unique trip, and that means lots of places to explore! Locations we anticipate diving during this trip include Misool, Fiabacet, Boo, West Seram, Ring of Fire, Wetar and Alor.
During my first week at REEF as a Marine Conservation Intern, I gained a plethora of fish identification knowledge. My previous dive experience has been in the Pacific Ocean, so I had not seen most Tropical Western Atlantic fish underwater before. To practice, I constantly reviewed presentations and underwater photographs. I was eager to get in the water and put my identification skills to the test! I recently had the opportunity to get out on the water in Key Largo, alongside three other REEF interns: Riley, Amelia, and Stacey.