REEF-in-Brief September 2010

Greetings!

While fall used to be a slower time here at REEF, this year we are busier than ever. In addition to working with scientists to get them up-to-date species data and continuing to coordinate and expand the citizen science Fish Survey Project to new regions, the REEF staff is involved in a variety of marine conservation issues including the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean and associated waters and endangered species spawning aggregation research. This issue of REEF-in-Brief features updates from several of these programs.

REEF.org Website Redesigned

REEF is proud to announce the next generation of our website - www.REEF.org. The redesigned page was launched earlier this month. The website still features the wealth of information, tools, and resources you expect from REEF.org, but now they are highlighted with a new design and user friendly navigation. Aside from the new look, you may notice that the site is much faster  due to an upgrade in our server equipment.

Thank You To Our Winter Fundraiser Donors

On behalf of the REEF Staff and Trustees, I want to thank all the donors from our Winter Fundraising campaign who helped us reach our target goal. With your help, we can continue REEF's core conservation programs, such as fighting the Lionfish invasion in the Caribbean, protecting Grouper spawning aggregations, collecting data through our Volunteer Fish Survey Project, and providing free online "Fishinars" to the general public and fish experts worldwide.

Last Chance to Donate and Receive Limited Edition Print of Goliath Grouper

Thank you to everyone who supported REEF during our annual fundraising campaign! With your help, we raised enough to continue our critical marine conservation programs in 2015. These programs make a huge IMPACT worldwide and protect iconic species, such as Goliath Grouper, Nassau Grouper, manta and mobula rays, parrotfish, and rockfish. REEF also protects ocean habitats through addressing invasive species like the Indo-pacific Red lionfish.

Looking For a Warm Destination This Winter: Join REEF in Dominica or Barbados

While we can't do much about dreary winter weather, booking a trip for the coming year might be just the trick to lift your mood. REEF trips are a diver's dream vacation! We have two great trips in February - a fish ID trip to Barbados and a lionfish research trip to Dominica. Trips later in the year include Belize, Saba, Bermuda, and more. Expert-led education combined with citizen science and world-class diving make our trips unique.

Fishinar - Artificial Reefs and Rigs in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Join Carol Cox in this informative webinar about the fish that you will see while diving in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, including changes that have taken place since the lionfish invasion and a new invasive species that has taken over the region. Tune in to find out more!

Your time zone may vary - this is a live, online session that starts at 8pm Eastern time.

Fishes covered in this session are:

Tropical Western Atlantic Beginners Course: Part 4

Join the final of a four part series taught by REEF staff on the top 60 fish of the Tropical Western Atlantic (the survey region that includes Florida, the Caribbean and the Bahamas). This course is a great introduction for beginning fishwatchers and a great review for advanced surveyors alike. All are welcome!

Species taught in this session are:

REEF Conservation Partner CoCo View Resort Wednesday Fishinar

Join one of REEF's valued Conservation Partners, CoCo View Resort in Roatan, Honduras for Wednesday Night Fishinars! This week, "2017 Lionfish Update" will start at 7:30pm in the CoCo View Clubhouse. Join this fun, informal presentation to learn about the threat of exotic and invasive speices on marine ecosytems, and what is being done to help. These viewings are free and open to all CoCo View guests.

 

Ocean Reef Community Foundation Funds REEF's Nature Days Education Program for Second Year

Thanks to the REEF Family!

We are thrilled to share that we have reached our 2019 summer matching goal - to raise $70,000 to support REEF's citizen science, education, and research programs! So many REEF members stepped up to show their support for marine conservation, and we are so appreciative of your outstanding efforts. From all of us at REEF, thank you to everyone who contributed to our summer fundraising campaign, and a special thank you to the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, The Henry Foundation, and The Meyer Foundation who generously matched these gifts.

Pages