Welcome to the Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to celebrate those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Here are achievements from October, November and December 2024.

Ultra Golden Hamlet Award

REEF volunteers Peter Leahy and Janet Eyre are already members of the Golden Hamlet Club (for those who have done over 1000 REEF surveys), and also the Ultra Golden Hamlet Club (for those who have done at least 2000 surveys), but both recently hit another milestone - 5000 surveys for Peter, and 3000 surveys for Janet - and counting! 

And we have a newcomer to the Ultra Golden Hamlet scene (or Lumpsucker in this case, because he is a cold water diver in the Pacific Northwest), Don Gordon of British Columbia, Canada. He recently hit the 2000 survey mark. Congratulations on this big achievement!

To see others who have earned the Ultra Golden Hamlet, as well as the Golden Hamlet award, go here: https://www.REEF.org/golden-hamlet-club

Golden Hamlet Award

Congratulations to Fred Hartner of Key Largo, FL for earning his Golden Hamlet award! Fred has submitted over 1000 surveys now and still counting.

Juvenile Hamlet Award

The Juvenile Hamlet Award is for individuals who have conducted 500+ REEF surveys. Congratulations to our latest Juvenile Hamlet Club member:

  • Carmen Toanchina

Read more about the Juvenile Hamlet award and others who have achieved it.

100 Survey Milestone Award

Coming in 2025: A new recognition for active surveyors who reach 100 surveys! Stay tuned in a future e-News. Thanks to REEF volunteer Guy Pinneo for the suggestion.

Experience Level Advancements

REEF Experience Levels are a way for divers and snorkelers to measure their fish ID knowledge along with their surveying experience. Experience Levels are achieved by submitting a certain number of surveys and passing a fish ID test. For more info, visit www.REEF.org/experiencelevels. Let's hear it for these REEF members who have advanced an Experience Level!

All listed below are Level 2 unless otherwise noted.

California (CAL)

Katie Mauser - Level 5
Matt Wilbur - Level 5
Mary Wholey - Level 3
Daniel Rogers
Darby Lee
Ev Chekalin
Lisa O'Donnell
Michael Ross
Saam Shams
Sydney O'Donnell
Xavier Michalet

Central Indo-Pacific (CIP)

Linda  Bilsing - Level 3
Katie Soden
Kerry Ach
Melanie Moreno
Sierra Barkdoll
Stacey Henderson

Indian Ocean / Red Sea (IORS)

Mohammad Saleh Alshareef
Mohammed Kamal Khidr Aldahoudy
Rayan Saleh Alshareef

Pacific Northwest (PNW)

Veronica Windell - Levels 2 and 3

Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP)

Kacey Carleton - Levels 4 and 5

Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA)

Carol Cline - Level 4
Ed Benjamin - Level 4
Kathy Benjamin - Level 4
Diana Phillips - Level 3
Joanna Eriksmoen - Level 3
Mariette Brommelcamp - Level 3
Rianne Poessé - Level 3
Annemarijn Van Kesteren
Annemiek Gerritsen
Ariadna Martin Deler
Bruce Owen
Cade Hunter
Carl Belles
Caroline Ellervik
Carter McDonell
Constance Boisriveaud
Cris Hall
Danielle Nielsen
David Verschoor
Davide Chiarlo
Davinia Wilson
Denise Stuebner
Duncan Versteegh
Eddy Klijs
Emily VanBelle
Faith Frye
Francesca Piccone
Gwen Versteegh
James Johnson
Jenny Carter
Katie McCarthy
Kim Van de Put
Lisette DeRooy
Lucas Williams
Mariette Brommelcamp
Merryl Owen
Michael Deans
Mona Frederiksen
Myrthe Van Tilburg
Nanda Roseboom
Nico de Goffau
Noa Ter Avest
Noah Vinding Christensen
Rachelle Abbas
Rosaly van Dansik
Sandra Otter
Siri Dye
Skylar Tempel
Sylvie Rainville
Thomas Leonard
Xu Ling Steiner
Zoe Hamilton