2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Since its launch in 1993, this citizen science program has generated one of the largest marine life databases in the world through marine life sightings surveys conducted by volunteer divers and snorkelers. A key aspect of the project's success and impact is that REEF data are available to everyone.
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- tropical western atlantic
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.
This month we highlight Debbie Cacace, a REEF member from Virginia. She joined REEF in 2017 and has conducted more than 460 surveys in the Tropical Western Atlantic region, where she is a Level 5 surveyor. Thank you Debbie, for being a dedicated and active part of REEF!
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.
This month we highlight Dana Kowalsick, a REEF member who lives in Bonaire. She is a Level 5 Surveyor in the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) survey region, where she has conducted more than 100 REEF surveys! In addition, last year she was one of the most active surveyors in the TWA region! We are proud to feature Dana this month and are thankful that she is part of REEF!
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 Doug Harder (REEF member since 1996). Doug lives in Monument, Colorado, and has conducted 759 REEF surveys. Doug is a member of the Advanced Assessment Team in both the Tropical Western Atlantic and Hawaii. Here's what Doug had to say about REEF:
What inspires you to do REEF Surveys?
Calling all college students or recent graduates who are divers! This summer, spend a week learning marine life survey techniques with REEF experts in Key Largo, Florida. Build your skills and resume for marine field research and discover career opportunities in the marine and conservation field. The course covers commonly used tools and techniques utilized in visual assessments of reef fishes.
Learn to ID common reef fishes of the Tropical Western Atlantic through virtual practice and how to become a citizen scientist for Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF). Fishes commonly seen in Sebastian Inlet will also be presented.
Last month, REEF’s Explorers Education Program had the pleasure of working with two collegiate groups in Key Largo, Florida. Each group of students spent one fun-filled week working alongside REEF staff and interns to learn about TWA (Tropical Western Atlantic) fish identification and the REEF survey method. The first group was nine students from Georgia State University, accompanied by their professor, Dr. Amy Reber. This weeklong education program has become an annual component of Georgia State's marine ecology course.
The end of the year is fast approaching, but there's still time to take a dive trip in 2018! Space is very limited on our remaining 2018 trips - in fact, there are only two spaces remaining on next month's trip to the Eastern Caribbean aboard the Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard. Beginning in St. Kitts on Dec. 1 and ending in St. Maarten on Dec. 8, this trip includes plenty of diving around the islands of the northeastern Caribbean.
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.