Author: The REEF Team
REEF Fest 2021 registration is now open! We hope you will join us for our annual four-day celebration of marine conservation on October 14-17 in beautiful Key Largo, Florida. REEF Fest 2021 features a fantastic lineup of ocean seminars and educational workshops, fun evening social events with plenty of food and drinks, and opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. Most REEF Fest events are free to attend, but pre-registration is requested. For complete event details and registration, please visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest. If you have any questions, please contact events@REEF.org or call (305) 852-0030. We hope to see you this fall in Key Largo for REEF Fest 2021!
Author: The REEF Team
This summer, we’re celebrating all the ways we are making a difference for the oceans together, through citizen science, education, and research. REEF’s work is only possible with support from ocean stewards like you. We are thankful that for many years, three amazing foundations have provided matching funds to support REEF’s conservation programs. They are continuing their tradition of generosity this summer - now through August 8, all donations up to $70,000 will be matched! This means your contribution will go twice as far for marine conservation.
As a special thank you, all who give $250 or more this summer will receive a set of eight limited-edition notecards featuring stunning marine life images captured by REEF Co-Founder Ned DeLoach. Ned and his wife Anna have chosen some of their favorite photos so you can share the wonder of our underwater world with your loved ones. You can visit www.REEF.org/donate to give securely online. Thank you for your support and for being part of REEF. We look forward to celebrating with you this summer!
Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
Growing up to eight feet long and weighing more than 800 pounds, the Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara) is one of the largest grouper species in the world. Goliath Grouper are considered Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and have been protected from harvest in US waters since 1990, after decades of heavy fishing caused a near extinction of the species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently asserted that Goliath Grouper population increases have occurred in Florida waters, and therefore some modified take options are warranted. In May 2021, FWC met to consider opening a tag lottery to allow harvest of 100 Goliath Grouper per year for a four-year period. In response to potential changes in protection for the species, researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) submitted to FWC a summary of an analysis of Goliath Grouper sightings in Florida based on REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project data.
Since 1993, REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project has leveraged citizen science divers to survey fish abundances through Florida. During this time, divers have conducted tens of thousands of surveys in Florida, collectively adding to a database that represents the best available information relevant to Goliath Grouper populations through time. These data show that Goliath Grouper experienced steady population growth in Florida from exceptionally low levels from the 1990s until 2010. However, over the last decade, this population recovery has either ceased or even reversed. The reason for this recent decline is unclear. Given the apparent reversal in recovery for the species in recent years, any added fishing mortality will almost certainly lead to further population decline. Based on these results, the SIO researchers recommended that the moratorium on harvest for Goliath Grouper be continued.
In advance of the FWC meeting, the commission received more than 3,000 public comments, with 98% favoring a continued ban on harvesting Goliath Grouper. At the end of the discussion at the meeting, the commission members voted 6-1 to take steps toward opening the fishery. They have asked FWC staff to draft a rule, which will be reviewed and voted on in a future meeting.
Because of Goliath's no-take status in Florida and the subsequent lack of traditional fisheries-dependent data, REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project has been an invaluable source of information to evaluate the status and trends of Goliath populations over the past few decades. These data have been primarily evaluated and published by Drs. Chris Koenig and Felicia Coleman from Florida State University, and more recently by Dr. Dan Greenberg at SIO. To learn more, visit www.REEF.org/goliath.
Author: Janna Nichols, Citizen Science Program Manager
REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project database totals almost 260,000 surveys. A small group of highly dedicated surveyors, known as the Golden Hamlet Club, have contributed significantly to this total by each conducting 1,000 or more REEF surveys. It's with great excitement that we welcome Cassandra Neal to the Golden Hamlet Club!
Cassandra has been a REEF member since 2001 and is an expert level surveyor in both the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) and Eastern Atlantic & Mediterranean (EAM) regions. She has also submitted data in several other survey regions including Hawaii (HAW), the South Pacific (SOP), and Central Indo-Pacific (CIP).
You can read more about Cassandra's surveying journey and see photos here. From triple frogfish to tricky fish, she's got some great fish stories!
We're delighted that Cassandra has reached this milestone and are so grateful to have her as a member and enthusiastic supporter of the REEF family for the past two decades. Congratula-fins, Cassandra!
To view all 34 of our Golden Hamlet Club members, visit this page.
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
We recently welcomed our Summer 2021 Marine Conservation Interns to REEF. They will support the REEF team by assisting with events, education and outreach programs, and daily operations around the REEF Campus. This semester’s interns bring a unique set of skills and interests to REEF. They include:
Maddie Brownfield is from St. Joseph, Missouri. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. in biochemistry. Her interest in the ocean was fostered through marine conservation-focused trips to Thailand and Forfar Field Station on Andros Island in The Bahamas. She has worked as a swim coach, campus tour guide, research assistant in a behavioral neuroscience lab, and even as a wedding videographer. She also helped start her university's first marine conservation organization, Save Our Seas Mizzou. Maddie hopes to attend graduate school and study marine biology and conservation to eventually work as a researcher or an educator. She is excited to combine her creative skills, passion for public outreach, and love for the ocean to help spread awareness about marine conservation.
Hailey Hiner is from a small town in northern Ohio. She graduated from Miami University in Ohio with a B.S. in kinesiology and health, and environmental science. In high school, she participated in two formative field study experiences at MarineLab in Key Largo. Initially working towards a career in healthcare, Hailey followed her passion for marine science and picked up an additional major in environmental science during her junior year. In college, she conducted research on the effects of ocean acidification on the seafood industry and its implications on human health. She hopes to further her education and combine her interests in public health and marine conservation to inform the public on the importance of ocean conservation. She is excited to be back in Key Largo to work with REEF while gaining more experience in ocean conservation, outreach, and education.
Mary Quinn is pursuing undergraduate degrees in biology and creative writing from Wheaton College in Massachusetts. Originally from Fairfield, Connecticut, she has always loved the ocean and grew up spending time on the Long Island Sound. She has served as a field intern team leader for the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance's Diamondback Terrapin Project. She obtained her scuba certification in the Turks and Caicos Islands while studying abroad at the School for Field Studies, Center for Resource Management Studies on remote South Caicos. While on South Caicos, she also conducted independent research on foraging behavior of yellowtail snapper. Mary loves working in the field as a part of team, and hopes to continue giving back to the environment, learning, and exploring different marine ecosystems worldwide.
Our interns are a vital part of REEF and we couldn’t accomplish our work without them. For more information about the Marine Conservation Internship or to apply for an upcoming semester, visit www.REEF.org/internship.
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
REEF's online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what is coming up over the next several weeks:
Into the Blue Book Club Meeting
Thursday, June 10 at 8pm EDT
Into the Blue Book Club brings together readers who love the ocean. At this meeting, we will be discussing our June book selection, Into the Planet by legendary cave diver Jill Heinerth. Jill is also attending the meeting for a Q&A!
Register here.
Fishinar: Vancouver Island's Interesting Finds
Tuesday, June 22 at 8pm EDT
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is well known for orcas and sea lions, and is also home to plenty of fascinating creatures. Instructor Janna Nichols will share some of the fantastic fish and invertebrate life found in the area.
Register here.
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
Earlier this spring, we hosted our first Field Survey Trip of 2021. Sixteen REEF surveyors traveled to the remote Caribbean island of Guanaja, part of the Bay Islands of Honduras, to enjoy a week of diving and fish surveying at Villa on Dunbar Rock, an amazing resort with 360-degree views of the ocean. The results from the trip were recently processed into REEF's database, adding to the survey count for the largest marine life sightings database in the world. Altogether, the group conducted 236 surveys at 16 sites and recorded 228 different species.
One of the favorite fish finds for many Guanaja surveyors was the Ribbon Blenny (Emblemaria vitta). The male of this species has a dark body with a bright yellow (or pale) area on the front part of its dorsal fin. This fish is found on sand flats and rubble fields (they like habitats similar to that of Sailfin Blennies) and are a relatively unique sighting for surveyors due to their somewhat restricted range. Ribbon Blennies are only known to occur in the northwest Caribbean (Belize/Honduras) and parts of the eastern Caribbean including The Bahamas and Greater Antilles.
You can view the full species report for the Guanaja Field Survey here. Did you know that REEF creates "batch reports" for all of our trips as well as some other special projects? You can search for and view reports for past Field Survey Trips and other projects here.
Want to join in a fun, educational dive trip and make a difference while doing it? We still have openings on a few REEF Trips this year, including Cayman Brac on Oct. 2-9, St. Croix on Nov. 6-13, and Cozumel on Dec. 4-11. We also have a full schedule of trips coming up in 2022 and a sneak peek of 2023. Check out http://www.REEF.org/trips to see the complete schedule of upcoming trips. We hope you can join us on a future REEF Field Survey Trip!
Author: Stacey Henderson, Program Services Coordinator
You're invited to join in REEF’s 2021 Underwater Photography Contest! The 2021 contest features five categories: fish portrait, macro, invertebrates, REEF themed, and reefscape/habitat. Participants may submit up to three photos in each category.
The contest will open on June 8, World Oceans Day, and photos may be submitted until July 31. Photos will be judged using a popular vote, beginning on August 2. Winning photos will be featured on REEF’s website, social media and other communications channels. For complete details including rules and policies, visit this page.
Author: The REEF Team
Introducing our June 2021 Fish of the Month, the Greater Soapfish, Rypticus saponaceus!
Survey Regions: Greater Soapfish are found through the Caribbean and western Atlantic, in REEF's Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) and South Atlantic States (SAS) survey regions. Click here to view sightings reports for this species: TWA region and SAS region.
Size: They grow to about 14 inches.
Identifying Features: Greater Soapfish have an elongated, compressed body with a rounded dorsal fin. They are mottled gray or reddish brown in color and may have a green or blue cast. They can also have some indistinct, pale spots covering their body and dorsal fin.
Fun Facts: The Greater Soapfish is part of the Seabass family. They get their name from a toxic mucus they secrete in their skin, which turns into a soap-like foam when they are disturbed. Greater Soapfish are solitary and nocturnal. During the day, they can be found laying motionless, often on their sides, on the sandy bottom. They become active at night while hunting for prey, and their favorite foods include crustaceans and fish.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month!
[Photo by Janna Nichols]
