KEY LARGO, FLA. – Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) will host its 11th Annual Upper Keys Lionfish Derby, Thursday Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 13. During this socially-distant event, divers will compete to remove as many invasive lionfish as possible. Cash prizes will be awarded to the teams who harvest the most, largest, and smallest lionfish. The “most lionfish” category will include the competitive Apex Predators division, as well as the Reef Defenders division, intended for more casual lionfish hunters. Teams may choose to register in either division.
REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project is featured in this article about ocean citizen science programs in the Florida Keys.
REEF Engagement and Communications Manager Amy Lee was a guest on Scuba Shack Radio, a podcast about ocean conservation, scuba diving, and dive travel. Amy discusses her background, REEF programs, being recognized as the recipient of the 2019 DEMA Wave Makers Award, and some of her favorite dive destinations.
There are just a few days remaining in our summer fundraising campaign, and that means just a few days left to have your donation matched! This year, three of our longtime foundation supporters are generously doubling all contributions made by August 8. If you haven't yet donated, click here to support our marine conservation programs. Your support helps ensure that we can continue the critical work to study and protect the oceans through citizen science and education. Please consider donating today to help us reach our goal of $70,000.
Despite a summer with very little Lionfish Derby action, our Invasive Species Program has been keeping busy with plenty of projects, including several grants that we have recently been awarded to support our ongoing lionfish work. First, we're excited to share that REEF has been awarded $299,087 through NOAA's Saltonstall-Kennedy Competitive Grants Program, to study the effectiveness of lionfish traps on deep reefs in the Florida Keys.
REEF's in-person programming is on hold until further notice, but there are still ways you can stay engaged in marine conservation from home.
REEF is proud to highlight one of our exceptional Conservation Partners: Buddy Dive Resort in Bonaire. REEF Conservation Partners are active organizations and dive shops committed to protecting marine environments worldwide. As valued REEF ambassadors, they serve as centers for marine conservation actions, outreach, and education. You can view the full listing of Conservation Partners or register your organization as a REEF Conservation Partner here.
Meet our August Fish of the Month, the Bluespotted Jawfish (Opistognathus rosenblatti)!
REEF members are the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. A diverse community of divers, snorkelers, and ocean enthusiasts support our mission to conserve marine environments worldwide.