REEF is pleased to announce that one space on the 2011 Roatan Field Survey Trip will be held for a dive-certified educator to participate in underwater fish surveys of various dive sites within the Roatan Marine Park. Conservation, Education, Diving, Awareness, and Marine-research (CEDAM) is sponsoring the Lloyd Brides Scholarship that will fund this unique opportunity.
Every month, scientists, government agencies, and other groups request raw data from REEF’s Fish Survey Project database. Here is a sampling of who has asked for REEF data recently and what they are using it for:
- A researcher from Florida State University requested data from sites along the west coast of Florida to evaluate how fish species richness is influenced by the presence of certain grouper species.
- A scientist from the Smithsonian Institute is mapping the distribution and co-occurance of garden eel species in the western Atlantic.
Would you like to help spread the word about REEF to your dive club, dive shop, local nature center, etc.? We now have a presentation about the REEF Volunteer Survey program in your area, complete with speaker notes. It takes about 30-45 minutes, and goes over how simple it is to conduct a survey, and how to get started. PERFECT for groups wanting to get involved with REEF but weren't quite sure how to go about it! Let us know if you'd be interested in showing it to your group - email janna@reef.org
REEF announces the release of "The Lionfish Cookbook", available for $16.95 online at http://www.reef.org/catalog/cookbook. The book is a unique blend of 45 tantalizing recipes, background on the lionfish invasion and its impacts, as well as information on how to safely catch handle and prepare the fish. Invasive lionfish are a new threat to western Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico waters.
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 Georgia Arrow (REEF member since 2002). Georgia lives in Portland, Oregon, has conducted 686 REEF surveys in four different regions, and is a Level 5 Expert surveyor in the Pacific. She has the most surveys of anyone in the west coast Pacific region. Here's what Georgia had to say about REEF:
When and how did you first volunteer with REEF?
REEF is proud to partner with over 130 dive shops, dive clubs, individuals, and other organizations as REEF Field Stations.
The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) announces the release of “The Lionfish Cookbook”, a collection of 45 delicious recipes designed to encourage the removal and consumption of invasive lionfish in the Atlantic. Lionfish have a delicate, mild-flavored, white meat and are considered a delicacy.
Join PNW Advanced Assessment Team Member Heidi Wilken on an early 2011 REEF Survey Dive
In support of the REEF program, REEF Fieldstation Seattle Scuba - www.seattlescuba.com - will be offering 1/2 price rentals to anyone joining this dive!
Location: Alki Junkpile/Junkyard - meeting between the last set of stairs and the start of the condos.
Date/Time: Be there January 9th, ready to get in the water by 11:00am.
Join REEF Fieldstation Seattle Scuba for a REEF Pacific Northwest region basic Fish ID class!