Welcome to Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to acknowledge those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. We are celebrating those who moved up an Experience Level in January, February or March 2022.
Experience Level Advancements
Dive the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary with Fling Charters on a custom 5-day trip. This trip includes 3-5 dives daily on the sanctuary's pristine reefs and banks. We'll also get to visit at least one Oil Rig. During this time of year, you'll have the chance to see megafauna like Manta Rays and Whale Sharks, and the banks often have over 100ft of visibility. As a special treat - our dates line up with the annual spawning of the Madracis finger coral.
This Great Annual Fish Count, join REEF and Amoray Dive Center for a free fish ID class, followed by a REEF survey dive/snorkel.
Morning check-in for class at REEF Interpretive Center at 9:15am, break for lunch at 11am, and check-in for the survey dive/snorkel at Amoray Dive Center at 12:15pm.
This Great Annual Fish Count, join Sea Dwellers in Key Largo, FL, for a free fish ID class, followed by a REEF survey dive.
Morning check-in for class at 9am at Sea Dwellers, break for lunch, and check-in for survey dives at 12:00pm.
Sea Dwellers Location:
105 Laguna Ave, Key Largo, FL 33037
Located on a secluded key in Roatan, Honduras, CoCo View Resort is well known among divers for its excellent house reef. Guests will enjoy two daily boat trips and unlimited shore diving at CoCo View’s front yard reef, where more than 300 fish species have been recorded. Fish enthusiasts will be delighted to search for species like the Redcheeck Goby, found in the Bay Islands. The resort is an excellent fit for non-diving companions as well, who may enjoy front yard snorkeling and access to ocean kayaks.
Attention REEF surveyors: keep an eye out for the non-native Regal Demoiselle while surveying in the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) region. The Regal Demoiselle, Neopomacentrus cyanomos, is a damselfish native to a wide area of the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea. First reported as an exotic species in the Gulf of Mexico in 2016, recent reports show that the Regal Demoiselle has expanded its non-native range to southeast Florida.
Let's take a bite out of invasive lionfish! Please save the date and plan to join us for our 2022 Lionfish Derby Series in the Florida Keys:
Earth Day Lionfish Derby: April 22-24 at Sharkey’s Sharkbite Grill in Key Largo
This event is our 9th annual "Keys locals" derby; fishing is allowed in Monroe County waters only. Derby team registration is now open - register your team today! Click here for more info and registration.
You’re invited to join in the third annual REEF Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K on June 6-12, 2022. You can get moving any way you like - run, walk, hike, bike, swim, or even paddle! You can complete the 5K (3.1 miles) in one day or throughout the week. It's a great way to celebrate World Oceans Day and make a difference for yourself, others, and the marine environment.
We are excited to share the 2023 REEF Field Survey Trips schedule! REEF Trips are led by marine life experts, and include diving, fish ID classes, and fun with friends. Divers, snorkelers, and families are welcome on REEF Trips. To find out more or book your space, email trips@REEF.org. We'll send you an invoice to submit a deposit to secure your space. For individual trip details and more info, please visit the links below.
