Every fish survey counts! Data collected by REEF volunteer divers are helping scientists better understand rockfish populations along the West Coast of the United States, with the potential to inform important fisheries management decisions.
Are you looking for your next adventure? Our 2027 REEF Field Survey Trips schedule still has spaces available, along with a few trips in 2028 and 2029. REEF Trips are led by marine life experts and include diving, fish ID classes, and fun with friends. Divers, snorkelers, and families are welcome on REEF Trips. To find out more or book your space, email trips@REEF.org. We'll send you an invoice to submit a deposit to secure your space.
Join REEF September 11–18, 2027, for an unforgettable Field Survey Trip to Cyprus! This beautiful Mediterranean island offers crystal-clear waters, fascinating history, and incredible underwater experiences. Based in the coastal town of Ayia Napa, participants will explore world-famous dive sites, including the legendary Zenobia wreck and the Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa (MUSAN). The trip will also include an excursion to Northern Cyprus, the Turkish side, for boat diving and a visit to a historic castle.
Join REEF September 11–18, 2027, for an unforgettable Field Survey Trip to Cyprus! This beautiful Mediterranean island offers crystal-clear waters, fascinating history, and incredible underwater experiences. Based in the coastal town of Ayia Napa, participants will explore world-famous dive sites, including the legendary Zenobia wreck and the Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa (MUSAN). The trip will also include an excursion to Northern Cyprus for boat diving and a visit to a historic castle.
The votes have been counted, and we're excited to share the 2026 Discover the Sea Photography Contest results! Over 600 stunning photos were submitted to this year's contest, and over 3,000 votes were cast! First, second, and third place winners were selected via popular vote for each of the following photo categories: Fish Portrait, Macro, Invertebrate, Comedy, and Habitat/Seascape/Environment. A special overall winner was also selected as a favorite by REEF Staff.
In temperate (colder) water regions REEF asks surveyors to also monitor a select regional list of invertebrates and algae. This is in addition to monitoring all fish that are seen during a survey.
- PNW: Pacific Northwest & Alaska
- CAL: California
- NE: Northeast US & Eastern Canada
- SAS: South Atlantic States
- EAM: Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean
In these regions, surveyors have the option to conduct a Fish Only (FO) survey, an Invertebrates Only (IO) survey, or both Fish and Invertebrates (FI) survey.
Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula). Photo by Ken Marks.
Meet our November Fish of the Month, the Flame Angelfish, Centropyge loricula, a living ember of the Pacific reef. With shorter days settling in, this little fish brings a welcome burst of color: a brilliant red-orange body banded in black and tipped with electric blue.
This October, a unique collection of community members met at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center to build state-of-the-art, first-of-their-kind tools for conservation. On Saturday, October 3, REEF co-hosted Building with Claude: AI for Ocean Conservation in the Florida Keys, a day that paired six Florida Keys nonprofits with volunteer AI builders who drove down from Miami. Every organization left with practical ideas, and several with working prototypes.
Meet Nicole Duran, REEF’s Campus Operations Assistant, who joined the REEF team in October 2026. Based at REEF’s Key Largo Campus, Nicole supports the day-to-day administrative and operational work that keeps REEF’s ocean conservation programs running smoothly, including shipping and store support, back-office processing, and facilities coordination.
“I’m so excited to work with a purpose, protecting our reefs and using my creativity to support such a great foundation with an amazing team!”