We are excited to share the latest scientific paper to include REEF data, published this month in the journal ICES Journal of Marine Science. In this paper, authors use information on where REEF divers did or did not encounter three species of fisheries importance: red snapper, red grouper, and gag grouper. They then combined these data with 36 other data sets, each sampling different areas of the Gulf of Mexico, and created distribution maps for use in ecosystem models of the Gulf of Mexico.
In this paper, authors use data regarding where REEF divers did or did not encounter three species of fisheries importance: red snapper, red grouper, and gag grouper. They then combined these data with 36 other data sets, each sampling different areas of the Gulf of Mexico, and created distribution maps for use in ecosystem models of the Gulf of Mexico. These distribution maps picked up fish hotspots that are not identifiable by any individual data set, highlighting the complementary nature of the REEF data.
It’s not too late to become a citizen scientist in 2017! We still have a couple spaces remaining on our British Virgin Islands Field Survey this winter, December 3rd - 9th, and REEF surveyors of all levels are invited to participate. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) offer world-class diving and our REEF trip promises to be great. We have arranged a special itinerary with the Cuan Law liveaboard and the boat will explore some of the lesser-dived areas on the north side of the islands.
We are in the last few weeks of our summer fundraising campaign, and we need your help. Donations from our members are critical to REEF’s marine conservation efforts. In addition to supporting programs for marine biodiversity, fisheries management, and invasive species control, we are asking our members to make an extra donation this summer to help us build an Interpretive Center on the REEF Campus in Key Largo. Please help us continue to build our legacy of ocean conservation by being a part of this special campaign.
REEF members are at the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Over 50,000 divers, snorkelers, students, and armchair naturalists stand behind our mission.
This month we highlight one of our many REEF couples - David Thompson and Luanne Betz, members since 2011. David and Luanne have collectively conducted 250 surveys and are active surveyors in several REEF regions. Both have achieved Level 5 Expert status in the TWA and Level 3 status in the CIP. Here's what they had to say about REEF:
Join Lynnhaven Dive Center for their second annual GAFC survey dive at Chesapeake Light Tower!
Date: August 10th, 2017
Location: Lynnhaven Dive Center, Virginia Beach, VA
Everyone's invited to our annual celebration of marine conservation! Diving, seminars, social events and more.
REEF Great Annual Fish Count dives at Stage Fort Park, Gloucester, MA
Event Time: 11:00am-1:30pm: Picnic, 2:00pm: Photo, followed by the Raffle
Celebration Location: Stage Fort Park, Gloucester, MA
Each year divers help researchers by surveying fish populations. Join the largest survey in North America! Multiple dive locations and fabulous raffle prizes! $7 donation for lunch. Divers turning in surveys will receive 1 raffle ticket. Pick up trash whenever you can both above and below water and at lunch bring a bottle for free drink re-fills!
Great Annual Fish Count- Hosted by Horizon Divers
Date of Event: Monday, July 24th, 2017
Time: 8 a.m. ET
Location: Key Largo, Florida
RSVP: Contact Horizon Divers at 1-800-984-DIVE (3483) or info@horizondivers.com
Last week, Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) celebrated the 150,000th fish survey processed in the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) survey region as part of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Volunteer divers and snorkelers made this significant milestone possible. Over 11,000 REEF volunteers have submitted surveys at over 8,000 sites throughout Florida, the Caribbean, and Bahamas since the program’s beginnings in 1993. You can get involved with the Volunteer Fish Survey Project by attending a Great Annual Fish Count Event, taking place throughout the entire month of July!