The Faces of REEF: Member Spotlight, Jonathan Lavan

REEF members are at the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Over 43,000 divers, snorkelers, students, and armchair naturalists stand behind our mission.

This month we highlight Jonathan Lavan (REEF member since 2004). Jonathan has conducted 195 REEF surveys in four REEF regions, and he is a member of the Advanced Assessment Team in the Tropical Western Atlantic. Here's what Jonathan had to say about REEF:

When and how did you first volunteer with REEF or become a REEF member? How did you first hear about REEF?

2012 REEF Field Survey Schedule - Take a Dive Trip That Counts

We are pleased to announce the 2012 REEF Field Survey trip schedule. We have an exciting lineup of destinations planned and we hope you will join us. These trips offer a great introduction to fish identification for novice fishwatchers, and are a fun way for experienced surveyors to build their life list while interacting with fellow fishwatchers. REEF staff, board members, and other REEF instructors lead these trips, and each features daily classroom seminars and a full diving schedule.

Outstanding in their Field: Featured REEF Field Station, Sea Saba

REEF is proud to partner with over 130 dive shops, dive clubs, individuals, and other organizations as REEF Field Stations

California algae and invertebrate Identification core trainer course

The Southern California Dive Club of the Inland Empire is hosting California algae and invertebrate identification train the trainer courses on May 28 2011. The course will be from 1pm to 4pm. The topic is algae and invertebrate identification and will be taught using REEF algae and invertebrate ID materials. This course follows a morning California fish identification course 9am to 12pm. Admission is free, but contact Garbageano@aol.com to reserve a spot (space is limited).

California Fish Identification core trainer course

The Southern California Dive Club of the Inland Empire is hosting California Fish identification train the trainer courses on May 28 2011. The course will be from 9am to 12pm. The topic is Fish Identification and will be taught using REEF Fish ID materials. An algae and invertebrate will follow on the same day from 1pm to 4pm. Admission is free, but contact Garbageano@aol.com to reserve a spot (space is limited).

REEF and FKNMS to host Second Annual Lionfish Derby Series

Divers will return to Florida Keys waters next month on a mission: net thousands of dollars in cash and prizes while protecting the environment from invasive lionfish.

Lionfish Workshop

This workshop is intended for dive professionals and avid recreational divers interested in obtaining a permit to collect lionfish in the Sanctuary Preservation Areas. We will also cover the history and progression of the invasion, lionfish biology and ecology, safe collecting and handling techniques, and first aid.

Coral Lodge

$2,417 per person double occupancy. Package Includes – 7 nights accommodations in an over-the-water bungalow, five days of 2-tanks dives, all meals at the picturesque Coral Lodge, and round trip transfers* from Panama City (airport code - PTY). *transfer times -- departing no later than 1:30pm from Panama City on June 16, departing no earlier than 7am from Coral Lodge on June 23. The transfer takes 2.5 hours between Panama City and Miramar and 30 minutes from Miramar and the Lodge.

Making It Count - March 2011

Baby Grouper Adrift, Where Are They Now?

As part of the Grouper Moon Project, REEF launched the Baby Grouper Adrift! webpage in late February. We developed this outreach tool to display in real time the results of state-of-the-art satellite drifter research being conducted by researchers from REEF, the Cayman Island Department of Environment, and Oregon State University. The Adrift project aims to better understand where Nassau grouper larvae end up after being spawned.

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