Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
Partnerships with the scientific community are a core value of REEF’s mission, and this collaboration has been essential for the success of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project over the last 30 years. We are excited to share a recent monitoring effort undertaken by the Aquarium du Québec and Parc National de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher‑Percé, and coordinated by Dr. Michèle Doucet, a REEF member and retired professor of veterinary medicine. Dr. Doucet and her team will complete REEF surveys around Bonaventure Island in the Gaspésie region of Quebec annually for five years to document status and trends of the marine flora and fauna of the Park. The first surveys were conducted in June 2023, and the team documented 53 species of fish, invertebrates, and algae. (Did you know? REEF surveyors in temperate regions, such as Canada, record all fish species and a select group of invertebrates and algae.) Click here to see the full list of species recorded by Dr. Doucet’s team during the first year of the project. The project is funded by SÉPAQ, Société des établissements de plein air du Québec.
Author: Amy Lee, Communications and Engagement Manager
The 14th annual REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival is finally here! Participants will take to the water to hunt lionfish from sunrise to sunset this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 8 and 9, and we can't wait to see how many invasive lionfish they remove! So far, 26 teams are registered to compete in this year's derby. Teams may register until 6:30pm on Thursday, Sept. 7. The derby will end on Sunday, Sept. 10, with a lionfish festival at the picturesque Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina in Islamorada, Florida. The festival is open to the public from 12pm-4pm, and will feature lionfish tastings, drink specials, educational demos, games, activity booths, and live music. The awards ceremony to announce the derby winners will take place at 3:30pm. Cash prizes will be awarded to the teams who harvest the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.
If you're in the Florida Keys, we'd love to see you there! If you're not able to make it in person, we will be livestreaming during the festival on Sunday. Follow along on the REEF Invasive Species Program Facebook page to see a lionfish dissection, lionfish scoring, and more.
This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, including Ocean Conservancy, Ocean Reef Conservation Association, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, TRIAD, Mesara Foundation, and Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina, with advertising support from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Thank you to all sponsors for your support of REEF Invasive Species Program!
Author: Amy Lee, Communications and Engagement Manager
REEF Fest is an annual event for ocean lovers. It includes free educational presentations, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, nature tours, and socials. It's all happening on October 19-22 in Key Largo, Florida. You can check out all the details at www.REEF.org/REEFfest. We're excited to welcome an amazing lineup of guest speakers this year, including:
- John Claydon, Ph.D., Executive Director, Integrated Marine Biosphere Research, who will discuss seafood mislabeling and the impact this has on grouper conservation.
- Alex Troutman, NOAA Knauss Fellow with the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program, who will share stories of his work in the field, while highlighting the importance of providing accessible ocean experiences and connections for historically-excluded and marginalized communities.
- Martin Russell, Manager, Coral Sea Marine Park, Australia, who will talk about management, research, and protections for the pristine reefs and islands of Australia's Coral Sea Marine Park.
- Jason Belport, Underwater Photographer, who will share a firsthand account of the challenges and hopes for the marine ecosystems of the Cayman Islands, as well as a photographic journey from dive travels around the world.
- Christy Semmens, Ph.D., REEF Co-Executive Director: Science and Engagement, and Brice Semmens, Ph.D., Professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who will celebrate of three decades of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project, and share updates on REEF's conservation science work.
These free ocean seminars will take place at Murray Nelson Government Center on Oct. 20 and 21. You can also explore the amazing marine environments of the Florida Keys by joining in a snorkel or dive charter, or booking a kayak eco-tour during REEF Fest. Limited space is available, so be sure to eco-excursions soon because spaces are filling up quickly! Be sure to drop by the Open House at the REEF Campus on Oct. 19, and join us for the REEF Fest Happy Hour Social on Oct. 20. You may also purchase your ticket to the For the Love of the Sea Celebration on Oct. 21. The event is hosted at a beautiful location overlooking Florida Bay, and includes dinner from one of South Florida's top caterers, an open bar, live music, and a silent auction. We hope to see you there!
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, from inter-generational programs designed for grandparents and their grandchildren to learn about marine life of the Florida Keys together, to weeklong trips with classroom lessons, snorkeling and kayaking, and even online programs to help people experience the ocean from their home or classroom.
REEF has hosted more than 90 different Ocean Explorers Education Programs so far this year, serving more than 1,900 individuals from all over the country. Our summer programs included:
• 10 Virtual Field Trips for students in 3rd-8th grade
• 32 in-school education programs with Florida Keys students, from kindergarten through high school
• 22 education 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
• Four Ocean Explorers Expeditions, including a service learning trip in the Florida Keys with Georgia State University
• A virtual workshop for formal and informal educators to learn about REEF education resources
To learn more about the REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program, visit www.REEF.org/explorers.
Author: Janna Nichols, REEF Citizen Science Program Manager
The Golden Hamlet Club is a highly dedicated group of surveyors who have conducted 1,000 or more REEF surveys as as part of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. We recently welcomed two new surveyors: Marta Bonatz and Joe Mangiafico. They join 40 other Golden Hamlet Club members.
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Marta Bonatz
Marta conducted her first surveys in Puerto Rico in 2005 on a REEF Field Survey Trip, and has been hooked ever since. Her favorite fishes are Clown Coral Blennies, Manta Rays, and Eagle Rays. Marta serves as a member of REEF's Board of Trustees and lives in Key Largo, FL.
Read more about Marta here.
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Joe Mangiafico
Joe started surveying in the Northeast US, where he was the most prolific surveyor in the region. Several years ago, he moved to the Pacific Northwest, and he has continued to survey there. Some of his favorites animals are the Giant Pacific Octopus and the various species of rockfish.
Read more about Joe here.
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Congratulations to Marta and Joe! Click here to read more about the Golden Hamlet Club.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Program Services Coordinator
Submissions for the 2023 REEF Discover the Sea Underwater Photography Contest are now open! All ocean photographers are invited to submit their favorite photos. It’s free to enter, and you may submit up to three photos per person in each of the following categories:
Fish Portrait: Portrait shots of fish only; may include the fish's whole body or be framed around the head only
Macro: Close up shots that make the subject appear "larger than life"
Invertebrates: Photos featuring ocean life with no spine
REEF Survey: In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP), photos may include divers or snorkelers participating in the VFSP as citizen scientists, including conducting REEF surveys in the water, or topside survey activities such as data entry or fish ID classes.
Habitat/Seascape/Environment: Photos of an ocean environment or seascape. They do not have to be underwater but must be marine-focused, such as over/under shots, mangroves, or topside water shots.
Submissions close at noon EDT on September 18. Online public voting will be from September 19-30. First, second, and third place winners will be selected for each category. The winning photos will be featured on our social media and communications channels. Visit www.REEF.org/photocontest for rules, submission guidelines, and to see past year's winners.
Photo by Mel Briscoe. "Coconut Octopus" - 3rd Place, Invertebrate, 2020
Author: Amy Lee, Communications and Engagement Manager
We are excited to welcome our Fall 2023 Marine Conservation Interns to REEF! They will assist with education, outreach, events, and daily operations around the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida. Pictured from left to right are Noah Herren, Asavari Shanker, Noa Parks, and Lily Fife Schaeufele. Here's a bit more about them:
Noah Herren is a rising junior at Northeastern University, where he is pursuing a B.S. in marine biology. He discovered his interest in marine conservation through oyster replenishing efforts in the Chesapeake Bay. Since then he has worked on a number of projects including analyzing fish genomes to pinpoint the sources of fish fraud and calculating trends in algae on sea turtle shells. He is excited to gain experience at REEF before returning for his junior year at Northeastern University.
Asavari Shanker is a summer 2023 graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), with a degree in marine biology. During college, she was part of an undergraduate research lab, where she studied the biology and conservation of Kemps-Ridley sea turtles. She is excited to be at REEF and hopes to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the field of marine biology. In the future she plans to go to law school to work towards protecting the ocean through environmental and marine policy.
Noa Parks graduated from Mississippi College in May 2023 with a B.S. in biology. She has been a member of the Memphis Archaeological Geological Society since she was a little girl, which has given her numerous opportunities to participate in geological field trips, furthering her love of the outdoors and science. Noa played collegiate volleyball and ran her first marathon this year. She recently added SCUBA diving to her list of hobbies, and is excited to gain more diving exprerience in Key Largo.
Lily Fife Schaeufele graduated from Smith College in January 2023 with a B.A. in world literature and a minor in marine science. Her love of the ocean came from exploring the National and Historic Parks during trips to Colorado, where she first saw evidence of ancient marine life. She is interested in the intersection of science and art, and while studying abroad in Iceland she created an interactive exhibit as a culmination of her semester study on climate narratives.
For more information about the Marine Conservation Internship or to apply for an upcoming semester, visit www.REEF.org/internship.
Author: The REEF Team
REEF online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what's coming up this month:
Fishinar: Life in the Hawaiian Surge
Thursday, September 14, 8pm EDT
Click here to register.
Shallow, surge-swept areas are home to plenty of fish life. Learn how to identify some of the species found in the surge zones of Hawaii in this special Fishinar presented by REEF surveyor and Hawaii resident Dennis Bensen, and REEF Citizen Science Program Manager Janna Nichols.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Program Services Coordinator
REEF Field Survey Trips are eco-vacations led by marine life experts. Each trip features daily dives and fish ID classes for both beginners and experienced surveyors. Divers, snorkelers, and families are all welcome. Only a few spaces remain on our Field Survey Trip to the Southern Sea of Cortez, happening this fall from Sept. 29-Oct. 6. Warm waters and calm seas make this a great time of year to dive in the Sea of Cortez. This unique body of water is separated from the Pacific Ocean by Mexico's Baja Peninsula. This relatively isolated area (through easily accessible for travel) is known for interesting diving on rocky reefs and pinnacles, plus the chance to observe rarely seen marine life. Divers frequently enjoy seeing endemic species of fish, sea lions, sharks, rays, and more!
Visit www.REEF.org/trips for more details about this and other trips. To book your space, email trips@REEF.org. Check out some of our upcoming trips with open spaces, including:
Southern Baja - Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2023
Curacao - Nov. 4-11, 2023
Grenada - Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024
Galapagos - March 17-24, 2024
Utila, Honduras - April 6-13, 2024
St. Lucia – May 4-11, 2024
Bonaire – July 20-27, 2024
Author: The REEF Team
Meet our September Fish of the Month, the Rock Gunnel, Pholis gunnellus!
Survey Regions: The Rock Gunnel is found in the temperate and cold waters of the Northeast US and Canada region. Click here to view the REEF database sightings report for this species.
Size: They grow to between 5 to 8 inches.
Identifying Features: Rock Gunnels can vary in color, from yellow-green, to brown, or red. They have a row of pale-ringed dark spots running along their dorsal fin. They may be mistaken for eels due to their flattened, elongated body, but unlike eels they have two small pectoral fins.
Fun Facts: Rock Gunnels live mostly in the intertidal zone, where they shelter among rocks and algae. They can survive outside of the water due to their slimy skin, which prevents them from drying out and helps them slither into small crevices. They eat small crustaceans, worms, and molluscs.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Amy Maurer.
