Our first Fish of the Month for 2024 is the Kelp Greenling, Hexagrammos decagrammus!
Survey Regions: Kelp Greenlings are found throughout the PAC REEF survey region, from Alaska to northern and central California. They are also present (but less common) in southern California. Click here to view the REEF database report for this species.
Our online programs are free and open to all! Check out what's coming up, and view the entire schedule of Fishinars and other online programs here.
We're excited to announce our speaker lineup for 2024 REEF Fish & Friends! Each month features an engaging ocean-themed presentation from a guest speaker. Presentations are free to attend, and are hosted at the REEF Campus in Key Largo. If you're not able to join us in person, the seminars are livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Upcoming Fish & Friends presentations include:
We are excited to welcome our Spring 2024 Marine Conservation Interns to REEF! They will assist with education, outreach, events, and daily operations around the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida. Pictured from left to right are Ela Gokcigdem, Sydney Houck, Nick Wilson, and Elliot Tong. Here's a bit more about them:
Welcome to Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to celebrate those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Here are achievements from October, November and December 2023.
Juvenile Hamlet Award
The Juvenile Hamlet Award is for individuals who have conducted 500+ REEF surveys. Congratulations to our latest Juvenile Hamlet Club member, Annette Felix! Read more about the Juvenile Hamlet award and others who have achieved it.
The Golden Hamlet Club is a highly dedicated group of surveyors who have conducted 1,000 or more REEF surveys as as part of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Please join us in congratulating Kenny Tidwell as the newest member of the Golden Hamlet Club. Kenny joined REEF in 1998 and started surveying on a REEF Field Survey Trip to Puerto Rico in November 2002. He has been an avid surveyor ever since, and has completed surveys all over the world, from the Caribbean to the Central Indo-Pacific.
Last month, a team of scientists represented REEF at the 76th annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) conference, held in The Bahamas. REEF programs and data were represented by REEF Co-Executive Director, Dr. Christy Pattengill-Semmens, and Conservation Science Associate, Lex Bryant, as well as our partners from Scripps Institute of Oceanography (Dr. Brice Semmens) and Oregon State University (Dr. Scott Heppell).
Want to make a difference on your next dive trip? Join a REEF Field Survey Trip to participate in meaningful ocean conservation and citizen science programs, learn about marine life, and have fun with friends. We have a year-round schedule of trips to fantastic locations all over the world. Several of our 2024 trips are already sold out, but there is still limited space remaining on some REEF Field Survey Trips next year. Below are our 2024 trips with availability. Trips are filling up quickly, so we suggest booking as soon as possible to secure your space!
REEF Ocean Explorers Education Programs bring oceans to life through online and in-person learning. Our programs include hands-on lessons and activities to teach participants of all ages and backgrounds about ocean life and habitats, while empowering people to make a difference. We tailor programs to each group's unique needs and interests, creating a memorable learning experience and helping people to build connections to the ocean. 2023 was an amazing and impactful year for REEF Ocean Explorers Education programs, and we're proud to share some stats and highlights from the past year.
