Citizen science is growing increasingly important for managers and conservation science. The REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project provides an accessible and flexible way for divers to contribute observations to a large database. This flexibility comes with challenges for analysis, but these challenges can be addressed with analytical models that account for variation in survey effort in time and space.
From walls adorned with spectacular corals, wrecks that are home to a diverse array of marine life, or shallow reefs teeming with tropical fish species, the dive sites of Grand Cayman will delight REEF surveyors. Participants may take advantage of the unlimited shore diving directly in front of Sunset House. While Grand Cayman has hundreds of dive sites, this destination also has plenty of activities to enjoy during surface intervals or to entertain non-divers, including Stingray City, Pedro St.
Maldives liveaboard diving is a must-do for every avid scuba diver! REEF has arranged for this trip to follow one of their southern itineraries, which is perfect for fish enthusiasts. The South Ari, South Male, Vaavu, and Meemu Atolls are dreamy tropical oases above and below. The Maldives atoll offers world-class diving experiences, wowing with an abundance of marine life. Made up of nearly 1,200 islands, the inner and outer reefs of the atoll are a haven for wildlife.
Fiji is known as a hotspot for diving, with massive schools of pelagics such as Bigeye Trevally, Scad, and Barracuda, Gray Reef and Whitetip Reef Sharks, and unusual creatures like the Leaf Scorpionfish and Ornate Ghost Pipefish. Fiji's Bligh Waters even has a dive site called Humann Nature, named after REEF Co-Founder Paul Humann! The luxurious NAI'A is world-renowned for her crew of experienced Fijian divers and sailors known for their friendliness and expertise.
REEF is committed to using our programs, platform, and voice to support foundational change in marine conservation. In 2020, we launched the Oceans for All initiative, which includes a a pooled scholarship fund dedicated to supporting the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in marine conservation, and to help communities and individuals cultivate connections with the marine environment, regardless of zip code.
REEF programs use citizen science to engage and inspire the public, while improving our understanding of ocean creatures and habitats. Members like you are a critical part of this work, and we are so thankful for the generosity of all who have made a donation to REEF this winter. Your financial support helped us to start this year off strongly. If you have not yet contributed, will you consider making a donation now to support our ocean conservation work? You can visit www.REEF.org/donate to contribute securely online.
This year is off to an exciting (and jetsetting) start for the REEF team, as two of our staff recently traveled to Tasmania, the southernmost state in Australia, to present at various scientific conferences. First, REEF Co-Executive Director Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., attended the International Temperate Reefs Symposium. Christy and her husband Dr. Brice Semmens, a frequent REEF scientific collaborator, both gave presentations at the conference, which hosted scientists from around the world who study kelp forests and rocky reefs.
You can still sign up for a REEF Field Survey Trip this year! Limited space is available on upcoming 2023 trips. Visit the links below to learn more about each trip, and when you're ready to book, email trips@REEF.org. When you join a REEF Trip, you'll learn about marine life, collect important citizen science data to help study and protect the oceans, and meet others who are interested in conservation. Spaces are filling up fast, so we suggest booking as soon as possible!
The Conservation Challenge is a fun way to earn collectible stickers while participating in marine conservation and citizen science. There are a variety of stickers to collect, and this month, we're highlighting two challenges: the Fishinars Challenge and the 30 for 30 Challenge! All you have to do to earn the Fishinars sticker is attend a REEF online program, or watch an archived session. Visit www.REEF.org/fishinars to see all upcoming programs as well as our archive of more than 200 sessions.