The REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida, remains closed to the public and all in-person programming is suspended until further notice, but that hasn’t slowed down our Ocean Explorers Programs. Over the last several months, our Education and Outreach team has remained focused on REEF's mission to engage and inspire the public. We recently made the difficult decision to suspend Ocean Explorers Summer Camp for 2020, but we are currently working to produce single day Explorers Programs for local families. More details on these programs will be posted on our website later this summer.
In February, eighteen REEF members traveled to Fiji on a REEF Field Survey Trip. The survey results from this trip were recently processed into REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project database which contains more than 250,000 total surveys. During the Fiji Field Survey Trip, the group conducted 210 surveys at 29 sites and recorded 617 different species.
This summer, REEF members are invited to participate in our 2020 underwater photography contest! Categories include fish portrait, macro, invertebrates, REEF-themed, and reefscape/habitat. Members may submit up to three photos in each category.
This month, REEF is proud to highlight one of our outstanding Conservation Partners: Eugene Skin Divers Supply located in Eugene, Oregon. REEF Conservation Partners are active organizations and dive shops dedicated to protecting marine environments. As valued REEF ambassadors, they teach fish ID classes, host survey dives, organize volunteer events and more.
During the summers of 2013 and 2014, populations of sea stars along the west coast from Alaska to Mexico were decimated by the sea star wasting disease (SSWD) epizootic. Two of the most highly affected species along this range were Pisaster ochraceus (the Ochre Sea Star), the most common intertidal species, and Pycnopodia helianthoides (the Sunflower Sea Star), the most common subtidal species, both of which are endemic to the US western coast.
Meet our June Fish of the Month, the Spotted Ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei)!
This past month while the REEF Campus has been closed, Maddi and Riley have been setting up the new educational display in the Interpretive Center. The display includes a dissecting and compound microscope connected to a new TV, which will enlarge what is on the microscope slide for all the visitors to view. This display was funded by a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and will allow for more hands-on activities at the REEF Campus for all of our educational programming.
Our next Fishinar will be a special one! On Tuesday, June 16, at 8pm EDT, Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., REEF Conservation Science Manager, will be giving an update on current research findings for the invasive lionfish problem in the Tropical Western Atlantic waters. Click here to register for this Fishinar - you can tune in using a laptop, tablet, or even a smartphone.
REEF Experience Levels are a way for divers and snorkelers to measure their fish ID knowledge along with their surveying experience. With 5 levels in each of REEF's survey regions, divers are able to look forward to the next step and continually improve their skills. From brand new beginners up to the top Level 5 experience level, you'll find plenty of resources and friends to help you along the way.
Let's hear it for these REEF members who have improved and moved up a level this month!
South Pacific Region (SOP)