This month, REEF is pleased to partner with MANG, an environmental apparel brand, to raise awareness for the Grouper Moon Project. MANG has created a special Grouper Moon shirt design, and 10% of the proceeds from the sale of this shirt during December will go towards supporting the Grouper Moon Project. As part of their commitment to conservation, MANG also plants one mangrove for every product sold. You can check out the MANG's website and purchase your own shirt to benefit the Grouper Moon Project here. You can also get involved by following MANG on Instagram and Facebook, and sharing their posts about REEF.
Top predators like the iconic Nassau Grouper are essential to a healthy balanced reef. Due to the timing and site fidelity of Nassau Grouper spawning aggregations and the ease with which these relative loners can be caught while congregating by the thousands to spawn, one-third to one-half of the known Caribbean aggregation sites are now inactive. Since 2001, REEF has successfully worked with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment to conserve and restore populations of the iconic Nassau Grouper in the Cayman Islands. REEF’s Grouper Moon research highlights the importance of protecting spawning aggregation sites to manage sustainable fish populations. Healthy nursery habitats including mangroves are also essential as shelter for juvenile grouper and support population growth, particular with increased degradation to coral reefs. This recent study highlighted the role nursery habitats play in supporting sustainable predator populations.