This paper reviewed the population status of Atlantic goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara, in coastal waters of the southeastern United States. The study is based on quantitative surveys conducted by the authors and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Artificial Reef Program (n = 505), coupled with data submitted by REEF surveyors (n = 27,542) over 15+ yrs.
CRF AND REEF HOST SUCCESSFUL FIRST-EVER "CORALS IN & LIONFISH OUT"
More than $1,000.00 raised to support marine conservation in the Florida Keys
The Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) and Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) teamed up during the second week of September for “Corals In and Lionfish Out,” a series of events to engage and educate the public while raising funds for coral restoration and invasive lionfish removal efforts in the Florida Keys.
Do you know what to do if you are stung by a lionfish? REEF, DEMA, and DAN teamed up to release a new lionfish sting first aid poster. View the poster below, or visit this link to download a copy of your own. Remember: prevention is the best first aid. Always use proper tools and techniques to avoid stings!
http://www.pacificexplorers.org/index.html
REEF volunteer Gerald Winkel talks about how to make your dives count for something. More details on the Pacific Explorers website listed above.
Attempt a 2 hour, 100 Fish ID dive, or do 2 tanks or snorkel on Alligator Ledge. Alligator Ledge has a high diversity of fish species and a huge abundance of each species. You have to push the fish out of the way to see the reef :) This is a shallow reef in 12-28 ft of water.
GOLIATH GROUPER AGGREGATION DIVES
2 Deep Drift Dives (60-100 ft) to see Goliath Grouper Aggregation. These are advanced dives as seas can be rough, the current can be strong, you must be able to descend quickly & follow the guide carrying the diver down flag. Nitrox is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for both dives as is DIVING WITH A COMPUTER
BLUE HERON BRIDGE SHORE DIVE at PHIL FOSTER STATE PARK, RIVIERA BEACH FL
Road trip to Blue Heron Bridge for a Shore Dive to find unusual critters: batfish, fly gurnards, sea horses, frogfish, jawfish.....
This is a 1 tank 90-120 minute shallow shore dive (<25 ft).
ENTER WATER 60-90 MINUTES BEFORE SLACK HIGH TIDE (5:58 pm on 9/19)
Water & beach are closed at SUNSET; so you must be out by 7:20 pm.
Carlos & I will be at BHB by 4 pm to give an orientation. We will enter the water by 4:30 pm.
Fish ID lecture focusing on blennies found in the Florida Keys: their habitats, diet, reproduction & cool facts; along with basic & advanced Fish ID reviews to help you correctly identify them while diving.
Fish ID lecture focusing on parrotfish: their habitats, diet, reproduction & cool facts; along with basic & advanced Fish ID reviews to help you correctly identify them while diving.
Visit: www.100fishid.com - Fish ID Tab to see the most common fish. Put your cursor on the fish to show the family & species name ( www.100fishid.com/#!gallery/c1pwt )
Fish ID lecture focusing on wrasses: their habitats, diet, reproduction & cool facts; along with basic & advanced Fish ID reviews to help you correctly identify the different species.
Visit: www.100fishid.com - Fish ID Tab to see the most common fish. Put your cursor on the fish to show the family & species name (www.100fishid.com/#!gallery/c1pwt)