1,204 lionfish taken in world's longest running lionfish removal event
Braving drenching downpours and lighting strikes, 16 teams of lionfish hunters took part in the 5th Annual Green Turtle Cay Lionfish Derby on Saturday, June 22nd in Abaco, Bahamas. The rain could not put a damper on the enthusiastic removal of invasive lionfish from the Sea of Abaco in what is the longest running tournament of its kind.
An excellent review of the extent of the lionfish invasion and the importance of getting involved to save native species.
Diving: Sugarbowl Reef and Ledge system
$120-$10 off if you conduct surveys
Location: Charleston Scuba Dive Shop
Fish Count Dive Saturday July 27th
How to sign up: Call the shop at 843-763-3483
This event is linked with the free GAFC Fish ID seminar: Thursday July 25th, 6:30 PM
If you would like to turn this free seminar into a Fish ID speciality please let us know.
(Cost of speciality is $125)
Free GAFC Fish ID seminar: Thursday July 25th, 6:30 PM
Location: Charleston Scuba Dive Shop
How to sign up: Call the shop at 843-763-3483
If you would like to turn this free seminar into a Fish ID speciality please let us know.
(Cost of speciality is $125)
This event is linked with Fish Count Dive Saturday July 27th
Dive: Sugarbowl reef and Ledge system, $120-$10 off if you conduct surveys
REEF's Director of Special Projects, Lad Akins, and REEF affiliate scientist Dr. Stephanie Green (Oregon State University) and REEF Advisory Panel member Dr. Steve Gittings (NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries) participated in the first submersible expedition to assess the lionfish invasion on deep marine habitats off South Florida June 27-29. While REEF and other scientists have studied lionfish in shallow habitats, the Antipodes lionfish expedition gave scientists the opportunity to learn about lionfish populations far below recreational diving limits.
The 22nd annual Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC) is rapidly approaching! Will you be participating? We encourage local shops, dive clubs, and other groups to organize an activity anytime during the month of July (and often training events in June). You can view events already scheduled, and add your own, by visiting www.fishcount.org.
This summer, all donations made to REEF will be matched dollar for dollar by the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation. If you have already taken advantage of this opportunity, thank you! If not, please consider doubling your investment in our ocean ecosystems and healthy reefs worldwide by donating online at www.REEF.org/contribute. REEF has been cited as one of the most effective conservation organizations working on ocean issues today.
We are busy putting the finishing touches on our 2014 Field Survey Trip schedule and full details will be posted soon. There is an exciting lineup of destinations planned, including: Key Largo with Paul Humann, Dominica with Ned and Anna DeLoach, Belize with Fishinar Instructor Jonathan Lavan, Cayman Brac, Bequia, Cozumel, and Hornby Island BC. We also have planned Lionfish Control Study trips to Curacao and the Bahamas with Lad Akins and Peter Hughes. We we hope you will join us.
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 Eileen Byrne, a REEF surveyor from Massachusetts. Eileen joined REEF in 2004 and has conducted 59 surveys in both her home state and in the warmer waters of the Caribbean. Here's what she had to say about REEF:
What inspires you to complete REEF surveys? What is the most interesting thing you've learned doing a REEF fish survey?
