Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
If you have been following along the conservation success of the REEF Grouper Moon Project, you know that our team has made great strides for the preservation of Nassau Grouper populations in the Cayman Islands over the last 20 years. Did you know that this project goes beyond conducting research on the iconic Nassau Grouper? The spawning site on Little Cayman, where much of our Grouper Moon work happens, is an important location for more than 20 other species of fish. We're excited to share the results of several studies that were recently conducted on Tiger Grouper and Yellowfin Grouper, two species that also spawn nearby during winter full moons.
Janelle Layton, a graduate student at Oregon State University, presented preliminary findings on early life history of Yellowfin Grouper at the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting in August. Early life history stages of fish have been shown to be sensitive to environmental changes. As our oceans undergo significant changes, it is important to evaluate how these changes can impact growth and survival of species with commercial and ecological importance, such as Yellowfin Grouper. For the past few years, our Grouper Moon team has been conducting studies with eggs and larvae collected from a Yellowfin Grouper spawning aggregation that is adjacent to the larger Nassau Grouper aggregation. The work has focused on growth and condition of eggs and larvae reared in different water temperatures. This information will help inform future studies to better understand how a warming ocean will affect the species.
Toni Sleugh, a graduate student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, recently submitted a paper to the Journal of Fish Biology that presents findings from a study of migratory behavior of aggregating male Tiger Grouper. To track the movements of these fish, we used special underwater devices called hydrophones, which detect and record acoustic tags attached to animals. The hydrophones, which were deployed around Little Cayman, tracked the movements of ten acoustically-tagged male Tiger Grouper over a 13-month period. Based on findings from this study, it appears that Tiger Grouper establish multiple spawning aggregations around Little Cayman. Unlike other large grouper species, male Tiger Grouper attend one or several aggregations near their home territories instead of visiting a single aggregation site. These findings help us better understand the link between spawning populations and regional populations of Tiger Grouper. In the future, this information can be used to develop management plans for this economically and ecologically important species.
Both of these ancillary projects were conducted as part of the larger Grouper Moon Project. This research will enable better conservation, understanding, and management of these important Caribbean reef predators. To find out more, visit www.REEF.org/groupermoonproject.
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
Last year, REEF launched a new monitoring project called the Species Snapshot. The goal of this project is to monitor Florida's coastline by gathering baseline data on under-surveyed areas and alternative habitats.
During each Species Snapshot Project session, a team of Expert Level REEF surveyors conduct fish surveys at a collection of sites to capture the breadth of fish biodiversity in the area. This data will help us monitor changes in fish populations over time and identify biodiversity hotspots. Collecting these data with a team of experienced surveyors allows us to take a “biological snapshot” of each area.
In the project's first year, data were collected from north Key Largo to Biscayne National Park, as well as Miami. This year, our team collected more data from the Miami area in April, where they documented 175 species. Another round of data collection occurred in June in Fort Lauderdale, where the team recorded 214 species, including some unique finds like the Orangeback Bass and Spotted Soapfish. You can view the reports from the Miami project here, and Ft. Lauderdale here. More Species Snapshot Project sessions will be scheduled for 2023, to continue surveying other parts of Florida's coast.
Members who achieve Expert status (Levels 4 and 5) in a given region are invited to join the REEF Advanced Assessment Team (AAT). AAT members may be invited to participate in special regional monitoring and assessment projects, such as the Species Snapshot Project. Click here to view current and past AAT monitoring projects.
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
It's finally here: our biggest REEF Lionfish Derby of the year, the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival, is taking place this weekend! This is our 13th annual REEF Lionfish Derby hosted in the Florida Keys. Participants will take to the to hunt lionfish from sunrise to sunset this Friday and Saturday. Eighteen teams are competing in this year's derby, and we can't wait to see how many invasive lionfish they collect! The derby weekend will conclude on Sunday with a lionfish festival at the picturesque Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina in Islamorada, Florida. The festival is open to the public from 11am-3pm, and will feature lionfish tastings, drink specials, demonstrations, games, activity booths, and live music. The awards ceremony to announce the derby winners will take place at 2:30pm. Cash prizes will be awarded to the teams who harvest the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.
For those who are not able to attend the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival in person, we will be livestreaming from the event on Sunday. Follow along on the REEF Invasive Species Program Facebook page between 11am-3pm to see a lionfish dissection, scoring, filleting and cooking demos, and the awards ceremony.
The Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival is made possible thanks to the support of sponsors, including the Ocean Conservancy. Ocean Conservancy is a science-based ocean conservation organization dedicated to finding solutions to the ocean's biggest threats by engaging ocean advocates everywhere. Each year, Ocean Conservancy partners with volunteer organizations and individuals worldwide for the International Coastal Cleanup® (ICC). The ICC engages people to remove trash from the world’s beaches and waterways. This year, the International Coastal Cleanup® will take place on Saturday, September 17. Visit this page to find a cleanup near you. We are so thankful to Ocean Conservancy for their support of the 2022 REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival.
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
REEF Fest 2022 is coming up on October 13-16, and we hope you'll come celebrate with us in Key Largo! Explore the coral reefs and mangroves of the Florida Keys and learn about ocean life on a dive, snorkel, or kayak trip at REEF Fest.
We have reserved dedicated boat charters with local operators including Key Dives, Quiescence Diving Services, and Amoray Dive Resort. Each boat will have a REEF representative onboard, with REEF survey materials available for you to use during the trip. This is a great opportunity to your fish identification skills and participate in citizen science. Diving and snorkeling is offered on the mornings of Thursday, Oct. 13, Friday, Oct. 14, and Saturday, Oct. 15.
You can also join in a guided kayak tour led Florida Bay Outfitters. Tours are offered on the mornings of Friday, Oct. 14 and Saturday, Oct. 15, and are great for beginners or experienced paddlers alike. Tours include all rental equipment, a lesson on paddling techniques, snacks, and water.
It’s easy to sign up for diving, snorkeling, or kayaking. There’s no need to contact any tour operators to reserve your space. You can book your space when you register online for REEF Fest. Spaces are filling fast, so be sure to book your eco-excursions soon! REEF Fest also includes free ocean seminars, evening social events with food and drink, a nature tour, and a silent auction. For more info, please visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest. We hope to see you there!
Author: Sierra Barkdoll, Citizen Science Coordinator
Did you know that REEF has marine life identification curricula for 15 different areas? Hot off the press are the latest, brand new curricula: Fishes of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS), and Fishes of the Red Sea. These instructor-led curricula include everything you need to teach divers and snorkelers about some of the most commonly encountered species in a given area.
Each course comes with an easy-to-use teaching curriculum to train students in identification and REEF survey methodology, a USB Flash drive with a slideshow of fish images, survey materials including a slate, underwater paper, and photo ID card, plus a Level 2 Surveyor quiz.
We have also created new survey paper and starter kits for FGBNMS and the Red Sea, plus a Red Sea Fishes photo ID card. There is a wide array of underwater survey paper available for the various locations throughout the tropical Pacific, as well as our other survey regions. Check out the REEF Surveyor Toolbox to see all of the materials for a specific region. Curricula and other survey materials can be purchased online at www.REEF.org/store.
Photo courtesy Scuba St. Lucia
Author: Stacey Henderson, Program Services Coordinator
Calling all divers looking to escape from winter: there are still a few spaces available on the REEF Field Survey Trip to Belize on January 21-28, 2023. This is a great opportunity to dive the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world! Enjoy calm seas and warm, clear water on this weeklong liveaboard trip to document the fish species we find in Belize. We'll hunt for endemics like the Social Wrasse and the White-lined Toadfish, while encountering reef sharks, turtles, and more! Weather permitting, we'll also visit the famous Blue Hole, a bucket list site for many divers. For more information, visit this page or if you're ready to sign up, email trips@REEF.org.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Program Services Coordinator
The votes are in, and we're pleased to share the results of the 2022 Discover the Sea Photography Contest! There were more than 300 entries submitted and over 2,500 votes cast in this year's contest. First through third place winners were selected in six different categories including: Temperate Fish Portrait, Tropical Fish Portrait, Macro, Invertebrate, REEF in Action, and Habitat/Seascape/Environment. The photo pictured is one of the winners in the Tropical Fish Portrait Category. Click here to view all the winning photos. Thank you to everyone who entered photos and voted during this year’s contest. We're already looking forward to next year!
Author: Madalyn Mussey, Education and Outreach Program Manager
We're wrapping up a busy and rewarding summer season for the REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program! We hosted virtual, in person, and field-based programs for ocean lovers of all ages. Through the REEF Oceans for All initiative, we aim to foster opportunities for everyone to build connections with the ocean, regardless of zip code. Oceans for All supports scholarships, programming, and outreach activities to provide immersive, hands-on learning and exploration. Click here for more information about Oceans for All.
REEF has facilitated over 70 different Ocean Explorers Education Programs this year, serving more than 1,500 individuals from all over the country. This summer, we hosted:
• Five Virtual Field Trips for students in 3rd-8th grade
• 20 in-school education programs with Florida Keys students, from kindergarten through high school
• 22 educational programs funded by the REEF Oceans for All Fund, which provides programs at little to no cost to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in marine conservation
• Six Ocean Explorers Expeditions, including a service-learning trip to the Big Island of Hawaii
• One Citizen Science Workshop for formal and informal educators
To learn more about the REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program, visit www.REEF.org/explorers.
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
We are excited to welcome our Fall 2022 Marine Conservation Interns to REEF! As a part of our team, they will assist with education, outreach, events, and daily operations around the REEF Campus. Joining us this semester are:
Brooke Enright: Brooke grew up in New Lenox, Illinois, and graduated from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, with a B.S. in biology. In college, Brooke worked on a research project analyzing sewage pollution and water quality along local beaches in Hilo, HI. She was also part of the Sea Turtle Response Team, where she responded to calls from the public about endangered and hurt sea turtles. Brooke also conducted research to analyze fish predation prevalence on Hawaiian coral species, surveying more than 3,000 corals during the project! Brooke loves spending her time in the water and going to the beach, swimming, snorkeling, freediving, boating, and scuba diving. She is excited to experience what life is like in the Florida Keys and explore the Atlantic Ocean while gaining new experiences with REEF!
Alexis Haag: Alexis graduated from Ohio University with a degree in specialized studies, combining environmental studies and sociology. She became interested in the environment through experiences at Watershed Camp, where she served as junior counselor after attending the camp herself for years. In college, Alexis was the Ohio University Student Director for the Sugar Bush Foundation, an organization that helps the local community by funding projects to promote sustainable development in Southeastern Ohio and Appalachia. During summers in college, she worked with Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability, where she shared information about how students can become involved with Sustainability Ambassadors, a student organization on campus. Alexis enjoys scuba diving, kayaking, reading, and nerding out over all things Lord of the Rings and Marvel. She is so excited to be working with REEF this fall!
Natalie Patetta: Natalie is from Cary, North Carolina, and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a B.S. in environmental science and a minor in marine science. As a freshman at UNC, she became a member of the Castillo Coral Lab, where she studied impacts of microplastics on coral tissues. She also participated in a summer study abroad experience with SEA Semester, where she became a crewmate on the SSV Robert C. Seamans. She also spent a semester at UNC’s Institute of Marine Science, where she conducted independent research on temperature limits of North Carolina fish species. Natalie loves to read, travel, swim, scuba dive, pilot drones, and create art. She is thrilled be at REEF and to explore the reefs around Key Largo.
Nick Robie: Nick graduated from Butler University with a B.S. in biology and Spanish. He is from Columbus, Ohio, and is an American-Belgian dual citizen. Nick is interested in STEM, the humanities, and the way that these two distinct approaches to knowledge inform one another. To pursue these interests, he founded and now serves as editor-in-chief for a multidisciplinary publishing platform called The University Journal. Nick was heavily involved in research during his undergraduate career, and received a fellowship and funding to conduct urban pollinator research. He also enjoys teaching others, and has taught science in high school and undergraduate settings. Nick loves to learn, and is excited to do so during his time at REEF.
For more information about the Marine Conservation Internship or to apply for an upcoming semester, visit www.REEF.org/internship. Stay tuned for next month's spotlight where we will introduce Vic and Katie, our two new Marine Conservation Fellows!
Author: Sierra Barkdoll, Citizen Science Coordinator
The REEF Conservation Challenge is a way to earn stickers while participating in REEF programs. This month, in honor of the 13th annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival, we're highlighting the Invasive Species Challenge. There are several ways to complete this challenge and earn the accompanying sticker, and one way is to participate in a REEF Lionfish Derby. If you're in the Florida Keys or South Florida, check out the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival this weekend in Islamorada. You can compete in the derby by registering a team here or simply attend the festival at Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina on Sunday, Sept. 11.
You can also earn this sticker by attending a REEF Lionfish Collecting & Handling Workshop. Lionfish Collecting & Handling Workshops include a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on practice with lionfish gear, and a field-based portion where we head out on the water to collect lionfish.
Have you see an invasive lionfish in the wild? Another way to complete this challenge is to document your lionfish sighting by submitting a report to REEF. Submit your lionfish sighting here - you can also submit reports of other non-native or exotic species! If you've seen a native predator species interact with an invasive lionfish (for example, you see a shark, eel, or grouper eating a lionfish), you can also submit a report of the interaction here.
For more information about the Conservation Challenge and details about other stickers you can add to your collection, visit www.REEF.org/conservationchallenge.
Author: The REEF Team
Meet our September Fish of the Month, the Masked Butterflyfish, Chaetodon semilarvatus!
Survey Regions: The Masked Butterflyfish is found in from the Red Sea to the Guld of Aden. This area is part of the Indian Ocean & Red Sea (IORS) survey region. Click here to see a distribution report for this species.
Size: They grow to about 10 inches long.
Identifying Features: The Masked Butterflyfish is bright yellow with a blue eye patch shaped like an upside-down teardrop. They also have a series of dusky vertical lines on the body.
Fun Facts: Butterflyfish eat mostly coral polyps and the tentacles of feather duster and Christmas tree worms. They have very fine, hair-like teeth that allow them to pick out small, hard-to-reach species that other fish cannot reach. Their family name, Chaetodontidae, is Latin for bristle tooth. Most butterflyfish species, including the Masked Butterflyifhs, are normally seen in pairs, although the Masked Butterflyfish may also be seen in small groups or even larger spawning aggregations.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Robert Cox.
