This paper is an inventory of fish and invertebrate monitoring programs in the US Gulf of Mexico, including the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project, which has been active in the region since 1994. The authors conducted a gap analysis of the programs, and provided recommendations for improving current monitoring programs and designing new programs, and guidance for more comprehensive use and sharing of monitoring data.

REEF members are at the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. More than 70,000 divers, snorkelers, students, and armchair naturalists stand behind our mission. 

Last month, REEF kicked off our 2018 Lionfish Derby series at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Miami. Four teams competed on June 9 and 10 to bring in a total of 309 fish. The largest lionfish caught was 411mm (just over 16 inches) and the smallest was 112mm (about 4.5 inches.) We have two more derbies coming up this month - in Sarasota at Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium on July 6 - 8, and in Ft. Lauderdale at 15th St. Fisheries on July 13 - 14, and a few more later this summer and fall.

Want to 'talk fish' with other REEF fish ID enthusiasts? We've created eight regional groups on Facebook so you can connect with others, share your photos and observations, ask questions, etc. Whether you're brand new to the world of fishwatching, or have been doing it for years, all REEF members are welcome. Join as many as you like.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/REEFTWA

https://www.facebook.com/groups/REEFCIPSOP

We are in the midst of our annual summer fundraising campaign, and are excited to share that thanks to the generosity of three longtime supporters, all donations made this summer will be matched dollar for dollar! We are so grateful for everyone who has already contributed to our summer fundraising campaign, enabling us to continue our marine conservation work.

We are excited to welcome a new member of the REEF staff! Alli Candelmo joined the team this week as the Invasive Species Program Coordinator. She comes to REEF with a wealth of experience in field biology, education, and conservation.

Alli attended Rutgers University where she obtained a Ph. D. in Ecology and Evolution.

Home to eight of the most species-rich sites in REEF’s Tropical Western Atlantic database, the reefs of Bonaire are legendary among underwater naturalists and REEF surveyors. In fact, this destination is so popular with our surveyors that we are offering two trips here in 2019! Participants may join both back-to-back weeks of the trip, or choose to sign up for either the boat diving or shore diving focused week.

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