Twenty-five years ago, REEF began collecting data on the abundance of marine fish populations, and since then the Volunteer Fish Survey Project has grown to be the world's largest marine life sightings database, made up of more than 200,000 surveys conducted by over 15,000 volunteer divers and snorkelers worldwide. To celebrate 25 years of citizen science, REEF is hosting a 25th anniversary Field Survey this summer in Key Largo, Florida, where the very first REEF Trip was held in 1993.
Our Invasive Lionfish Research Program is keeping busy getting ready for the spring and summer. In addition to the tagging research in the USVI also reported in this month's E-News, we are also gearing up for a busy Lionfish Derby season. We have six derbies planned in Florida for REEF’s 2018 Lionfish Derby Series presented by Whole Foods Market®. These competitions encourage teams to collect and remove as many lionfish as possible. They are important education and outreach events, and have been shown to be quite effective in lowering local lionfish populations.
We are excited to share information on the newest publication that features data collected by REEF surveyors as part of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project - "Urbanization-related distribution patterns and habitat-use by the marine mesopredator, Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini)", published last month in the scientific journal Urban Ecosystems.
REEF members are at the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Over 60,000 divers, snorkelers, students, and armchair naturalists stand behind our mission.
This month we highlight Marjorie Davis, member since 2013. Marjorie has conducted 56 surveys. She lives and dives in Florida and she is a Level 3 Advanced surveyor in the TWA region. Here's what Marjorie had to say about REEF:
Did You Know?
With the tax law changes for 2018, giving appreciated property (appreciated stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, etc.) still allows a donor to avoid capital gains taxes on these outright gifts, regardless of whether they itemize deductions. And there are financial benefits for donating through an IRA, or by combining charitable gifts to various organizations to be distributed through a Donor Advised Fund. Check with your financial advisor for details.
Northeast's Uncommon Fish
Fish taught during this session:
- Black Sea Bass
- Striped Bass
- Shorthorn Sculpin
- Longhorn Sculpin
- Acadian Redfish
- Ocean Pout
- Lumpfish
- Atlantic Spiny Lumpsucker
- Atlantic Wolffish
- Northern Searobin
- Atlantic Torpedo Ray (Electric Ray)
- Goosefish