Whether you're diving for a cause of just because - being with good people makes for good times. Participate in REEF's 2013 Lionfish Derby Series and help reduce local lionfish populations. www.REEF.org/lionfish/derbies
Fisher-Mill Plain -- Maybe Janna Nichols spends more time underwater than she does up here. According to the Dive News Network, Vancouver resident Nichols is a scuba instructor, Diving Safety Officer for Washington State University Vancouver and a scientific diver for the American Academy of Underwater Sciences. As a volunteer, she has conducted more than 700 marine life surveys for the Reef Environmental Education Foundation; she has taught fish-identification classes and webinars ("fishinars"); and her underwater photography has appeared guidebooks, newspapers and websites.
Meet Jonathan Lavan, the 2012 Volunteer of the Year -- honored for his dedication to protecting marine environments through surveying fish and teaching fishinars!
The author deconstructs a recent scientific study published in the journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution that compares data collected by REEF surveyors with surveys collected by professional scientists.
A Humpback Grouper was recently captured off the Florida Keys. REEF's Lad Akins positively identifies the exotic fish, and encourages vigilant monitoring to prevent another invasive species.
Exploring the trend of travelers seeking to 'take a vacation that counts' and features REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Active REEF member, Dave Grenda, was interviewed for the piece, and he notes, "I've totally embraced the citizen scientist concept and devote entire summers to research diving." Written by Amanda Castleman.
An analysis of how overfishing is altering coral reefs around the world. The author, Grouper Moon researcher Josh Stewart, discusses the plight of aggregating species such as Nassau Grouper as one example and shares his experiences with research being conducted by REEF in the Cayman Islands.
Take a vacation that counts by participating in REEF's volunteer surveys!