Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
Did you know that the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP) has generated one of the largest marine life sightings databases? This citizen science effort engages scuba divers and snorkelers to collect data on fishes and select invertebrates and algae. What began as a small effort in the Florida Keys in 1993 has since grown into a project with a global reach, inluding almost 18,000 volunteers. In 2024, the 300,000th survey was submitted to the REEF database, which now contains over 14 million sightings records. What happens to all this data?
Anyone can access data reports through the REEF website. You can look at a geographic area and species distributions, and REEF members can view their personal life list and REEF survey log. REEF staff also work with scientists and government agencies to provide detailed data files for in-depth analysis. These results are often used in scientific publications. Given that the VFSP is a long-term dataset spanning a large geographic range, REEF data have been particularly valuable to the scientific community, often providing information that would otherwise not be available. To date, more than 130 scientific papers have been published using REEF data, including studies in both tropical and cold-water ecosystems about fishes, invertebrates, and even sea turtles. All of these papers are available on our website at www.REEF.org/db/publications.
Here are a few of the most impactful science papers that have used the REEF dataset over the years:
Fishery-independent data reveal negative effect on human population density on Caribbean predatory fish communities. by C Stallings, 2009. in PLoS ONE. This study used the REEF dataset to conduct a comprehensive analysis of human impacts on predatory reef fish communities across the greater Caribbean region. Across the region, as human population density increases, presence of large-bodied fishes declines, and fish communities become dominated by a few smaller-bodied species. The analysis found a complete disappearance of several large-bodied fishes, which indicates ecological and local extinctions have occurred in some densely populated areas. These findings fill a fundamentally important gap in our knowledge of the ecosystem effects of artisanal fisheries in developing nations, and provide support for multiple approaches to data collection where they are commonly unavailable.
Demographic modeling of citizen science data informs habitat preferences and population dynamics of recovering fishes. by JT Thorson et al. 2014. in Ecology. The authors of this study combined REEF citizen science data with recently developed statistical demographic modeling techniques. The model analysis included two managed reef fishes in the Gulf of Mexico to estimate demographic trends, habitat associations, and interannual variability in recruitment of Goliath Grouper and Mutton Snapper. The study highlights the utility and management benefits of combining demographic models and citizen science data.
Species-specific environmental preferences associated with a hump shaped diversity/temperature relationship across tropical marine fish assemblages. S Clauson-Kaas et al. 2017. in Journal of Biogeography. This study, conducted out of the Center for Macroecology, Evolution & Climate in Denmark, used the VFSP database to produce a new map of marine fish biodiversity across the Caribbean. The authors found that fish biodiversity is strongly linked to sea temperatures. However, results also showed that while fish biodiversity is higher in warmer waters, the very hottest sites in fact had fewer species than sites with intermediate temperatures, something not shown before in previous studies.
Urbanization-related distribution patterns and habitat-use by the marine mesopredator, giant pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini). EC Heery, et al. 2018. in Urban Ecosystems. REEF sightings data on Giant Pacific Octopus in Washington State were used to evaluate patterns of occurrence with urbanization. The species is the largest known octopus in the world, and they can reach over 20 feet in length from one tentacle tip to the other. The study objectives were to determine whether the distribution and habitat-use patterns of GPOs were correlated with urbanization intensity on nearby shorelines in Puget Sound. The authors found that urban effects varied with depth. On deeper dives (> 24 m), REEF divers had a higher probability of encountering octopus in more urban locations, likely driven by habitat.
Disease epidemic and a marine heat wave are associated with the continental-scale collapse of a pivotal predator (Pycnopodia helianthoides). CD Harvell et al. 2019. in Science Advances. This study used almost 11,000 VFSP surveys collected between California and Alaska between 2006 and 2017 to evaluate the massive decline of the Sunflower Sea Star. The authors documented a precipitous decline in the important species, primarily linked to the devastating sea star wasting disease epidemic that was wide-spread along the US and Canadian west coast starting in 2013, as well as warming ocean temperatures. In many places, the Sunflower Sea Stars have failed to return. A decline or absence of this species led to a boom of sea urchins, loss of kelp, and other cascading effects on the ecosystem. REEF data were subsequently part of a larger analysis that led to the species being added as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Controversial opening of a limited fishery for Atlantic Goliath Grouper in the United States: implications for population recovery. FC Coleman et al. 2023. in Marine Policy. Laws protecting the Atlantic Goliath Grouper from fishing in federal and state waters of the United States occurred in 1990 after the species was identified as being severely overfished. Despite calls from goverment agencies and scientists to retain full protection for this species in federal waters, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) opened a limited fishery in state waters for juveniles in 2022. This paper reviews available scientific literature and datasets on Goliath Grouper trends (including the VFSP, which represents the best available long-term data on adult Goliath Grouper in Florida), and presents information on the limits of Goliath Grouper recovery, the varied threats the species is facing, and the ensuing factors that precipitated the species subsequent decline.
Assessing the value of citizen scientist observations in tracking the abundance of marine fishes. DA Greenberg et al. 2024. in Conservation Letters. The state of biodiversity for most of the world is largely unknowable due to a lack of long-term population monitoring data. Citizen science programs could substantially contribute to resolving this data crisis, but there are noted concerns on whether methods can overcome the biases and imprecision inherent to these programs. The authors of this study evaluated these concerns by comparing data collected as part of the VFSP with data collected as part of survey coordinated by scientists from NOAA. Both datasets were conducted over the same time period at 60 sites off Key Largo, Florida from 1993 to 2018. The majority of species exhibited similar trends over the 25-year time span in both population time-series datasets, with some notable differences. Overall, these results suggest that citizen scientists can be effective sentinels of ecological change, and that there may be substantial value in leveraging their observations to monitor otherwise data-limited marine species.
Author: Mead Krówka, Education Coordinator
We're excited to announce our speaker lineup for 2025 REEF Fish & Friends! Each month features an engaging ocean-themed presentation from a guest speaker. Presentations are free to attend, and are hosted at the REEF Campus in Key Largo. Seminars are livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube so you can also join in virtually. This year's Fish & Friends presentations include:
• January 14 – All Hands on Deck: Collaboration for Restoration in the Florida Keys, presented by Dr. Melissa Giresi, Director of Conservation, Ocean Conservation Foundation
• February 11 – What it Means to be 'Reef Safe', presented by Autumn Blum, Cosmetic Chemist and Stream2Sea CEO
• March 11 – Galapagos Fishes, Natural History, and DNA from the Shore to the Abyss, presented by Dr. Jack Grove, Key West Art & Historical Society
• April 8 – Collaborative Fisheries Science with a “SMILE" - Size Matters: Innovative Length Estimates, presented by Dr. Jennifer Loch, REEF Research Associate
• May 13 – Sea Turtle Nesting in South Florida: Trends and Threats, presented by David Anderson, Sea Turtle Conservation Coordinator, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
• June 10 – Fishes We Have Known: A Love Story, presented by Ned DeLoach, Author and REEF Co-Founder
• July 8 – Grouper Research and Conservation, presented by Dr. Chris Malinowski, Director of Research & Conservation, Ocean First Institute
• August 12 – An Exploration Through Southern Florida Archaeology, presented by Sara Ayres-Rigsby, Director - Southeast/Southwest Regions, Florida Public Archaeology Network
Presentations will also be recorded for later viewing on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. To see more info about REEF Fish & Friends and other upcoming REEF events, visit www.REEF.org/events. You can also keep up with REEF events in the Florida Keys by subscribing to our monthly REEF Campus & Keys Community newsletter here.
Author: Carolyn Corley, Education Coordinator
We are so excited for the 16th annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival! Starting this year, we are combining the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby with the annual Arts & Science Festival to form a conservation and arts festival! It will all take place at the REEF Campus and will feature vendors including artisans and local non-profits, along with lionfish scoring, fun conservation science and art activities, music, educational and cooking demos, food trucks and drinks, free lionfish tastings, raffle, and derby awards ceremony!
Bringing together two already established events Combining and science fosters creativity and sparks new perspectives. Art can communicate scientific concepts, like invasive species, in new and different ways, making science and conservation more relatable and understandable to more people.
Be sure to join us at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida from 12-4pm on Sunday, April 27 for the Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival. The event is free and open to all! Visit www.REEF.org/lionfishfestival for more details, including info on how to register a lionfish derby team.
Author: Amy Lee, Communications Manager
REEF members are the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. A diverse community of divers, snorkelers, and ocean enthusiasts support our mission to conserve marine environments worldwide.
This month we highlight Donna Goodale, a REEF member who lives in Hawaii. She joined REEF in 2023 and has conducted 87 surveys. She is an Expert surveyor in the Hawaii (HAW) region and has also surveyed in the Central Indo-Pacific (CIP) region. We're so glad to have a dedicated member like Donna!
What inspires you to complete REEF surveys? What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned doing a REEF fish survey?
I love watching fish and learning their names. The REEF classes and surveys have inspired me to learn more about the fish I don’t see very often while swimming, snorkeling or diving. I have also to learned to better distinguish between very similar fish like razorfish, blennies and lizardfish. They are still hard to ID, especially while swimming overhead, but I’m getting better.
Do you dive close to where you live, and if so, what is the best part about diving there? If you don’t dive nearby, where do you most often dive? Where is your favorite place to dive and why?
I dive mostly in Hawaii along the Kona coast, where I live. It’s close to home and full of a multitude of dive sites all of which have a variety of different topography and creatures. The water is relatively warm and usually calm. Alula Beach at Honokohau Harbor has a variety of reef features, deep and shallow and there’s always a chance of seeing a Tiger Shark. I also love the sand/rock interface at Kua Bay.
What is the most fascinating fish encounter you’ve experienced?
While diving during the COVID lockdown, I watched four Giant Porcupinefish circling and following each other. It looked like a prickly ballet dance in the water column over a sandy bottom. The three smaller fish were following a very large fish as it twirled through the water.
What is your favorite fish or marine invertebrate?
It’s hard to have a favorite. I have lots of favorite fish, including Shortbodied Blennies, Lagoon Triggers, Hybrid Goldrim x Achilles Tangs, etc. I love invertebrates like Hawaiian Swimmer Crabs with their crazy eyes. I also love finding and photographing algae.
What is your most memorable fish find and why? Is there a fish (or marine invertebrate) you haven’t seen yet diving, but would like to?
My most exciting fish find happened on 7/16/2023. I was snorkeling with friends and I found a Phoenix Island Damselfish. According to Hawaiian Reef Fishes by John Hoover, this species hadn’t been seen here 2008. I looked and looked at it, and I thought I’d seen it in the book but never in the ocean. I took some photos in order to ID it and the photos agreed with the book. Phoenix Island Damsels are considered to be “waifs” that occasionally drift into Hawaiian waters but aren’t established here.
Author: The REEF Team
We are pleased to introduce Tamsen "Tamie" DeWitt, the newest member of the REEF Board of Trustees. Tamie has been a REEF member since 2018 and joined the Board of Trustees in late 2024. She has always been inspired by the ocean, which may be because her parents are both from Rhode Island, the ocean state. Tamie was raised as an army brat and was fortunate to go to junior high and high school in the Canal Zone in Panama, Central America. After moving back to the states and getting her masters degree in International Education, she taught ESOL for adults in Maryland. In 1986, she went to Korea where she taught English for three years. She started working at the Invertebrate Exhibit at the Smithsonian National Zoo in 1992. Her job at the Zoo was the opportunity of a lifetime. As Assistant Curator, she was able to care for and learn so many different animals, while educating the public on lesser-exhibited animals including Giant Pacific Octopus, Nautilus, cuttlefish, mantis shrimp, spiders and butterflies! She maintains reef tanks at home and is involved with MonarchWatch.org. In 1994, when Tamie became a Smithsonian Scientific Diver, a whole new world opened up for her. Through her local aquarium club, Washington Area Marine Association, Tamie and her husband Bob learned about REEF and its amazing community of enthusiastic citizen scientists. Bob and Tamie enjoy diving all over the world and discovering the diversity in the different areas that they travel. Please join us in welcoming Tamie to the REEF Board of Trustees! You can view bios of the full REEF Board of Trustees here.
Author: Noa Parks, Citizen Science Coordinator
Our online programs are free and open to all! Check out what's coming up, and view the entire schedule of Fishinars and other online programs here.
Into the Blue Book Club Meeting
Thursday, January 30 8pm ET
Click here to register.
REEF Into the Blue Book Club brings together readers who love the ocean. At this meeting, we will discuss our latest book selection, Grouper Moon by Cynthia Shaw. Everyone is invited to join, and reading the book is not a requirement for attending the meeting.
Fishinar: Tropical Western Atlantic Lookalikes
Tuesday, February 4, 8pm ET
Click here to register.
In this session, Expert REEF Surveyor Carmen Toanchina will share tips and tricks to identify some commonly confused fishes of the Tropical Western Atlantic region.
Highhat and Spotted Drum photos by Carmen Toanchina.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Field Survey Trips Program Manager
Welcome to the new year - an excellent time to plan your next dive or snorkel trip! Spaces are filling up for our 2025 trips, but there is still some availability, including our Field Survey Trip to Nevis, a charming Caribbean island known for its quiet villages, lush green mountains, and tranquil beaches. Nevis is separated from its sister island, St. Kitts, by a two-mile stretch of water known as the Narrows. The picturesque topside scenery of this quaint Caribbean Island makes this the ideal destination for both divers and non-divers to enjoy. Our host venue, Oualie Beach Resort, is a family-owned hotel located right on the beach, and the gingerbread-style cottages reflect the traditional Caribbean architecture.
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. To book your space on a REEF Trip, email trips@REEF.org. Check out some of our upcoming trips with open space below. We hope to "sea" you underwater soon!
Belize: Feb. 15-22, 2025 -- More information here.
Guanaja: March 22-29, 2025 -- More information here.
Nevis: May 17-24, 2025 -- More information here.
Costa Rica: June 21-28, 2025 -- More information here.
Yap: June 21 - July 2, 2025 -- More information here.
Author: Janna Nichols, Citizen Science Program Manager
Welcome to the Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to celebrate those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Here are achievements from October, November and December 2024.
Ultra Golden Hamlet Award
REEF volunteers Peter Leahy and Janet Eyre are already members of the Golden Hamlet Club (for those who have done over 1000 REEF surveys), and also the Ultra Golden Hamlet Club (for those who have done at least 2000 surveys), but both recently hit another milestone - 5000 surveys for Peter, and 3000 surveys for Janet - and counting!
And we have a newcomer to the Ultra Golden Hamlet scene (or Lumpsucker in this case, because he is a cold water diver in the Pacific Northwest), Don Gordon of British Columbia, Canada. He recently hit the 2000 survey mark. Congratulations on this big achievement!
To see others who have earned the Ultra Golden Hamlet, as well as the Golden Hamlet award, go here: https://www.REEF.org/golden-hamlet-club
Golden Hamlet Award
Congratulations to Fred Hartner of Key Largo, FL for earning his Golden Hamlet award! Fred has submitted over 1000 surveys now and still counting.
Juvenile Hamlet Award
The Juvenile Hamlet Award is for individuals who have conducted 500+ REEF surveys. Congratulations to our latest Juvenile Hamlet Club member:
Read more about the Juvenile Hamlet award and others who have achieved it.
100 Survey Milestone Award
Coming in 2025: A new recognition for active surveyors who reach 100 surveys! Stay tuned in a future e-News. Thanks to REEF volunteer Guy Pinneo for the suggestion.
Experience Level Advancements
REEF Experience Levels are a way for divers and snorkelers to measure their fish ID knowledge along with their surveying experience. Experience Levels are achieved by submitting a certain number of surveys and passing a fish ID test. For more info, visit www.REEF.org/experiencelevels. Let's hear it for these REEF members who have advanced an Experience Level!
All listed below are Level 2 unless otherwise noted.
California (CAL)
Katie Mauser - Level 5
Matt Wilbur - Level 5
Mary Wholey - Level 3
Daniel Rogers
Darby Lee
Ev Chekalin
Lisa O'Donnell
Michael Ross
Saam Shams
Sydney O'Donnell
Xavier Michalet
Central Indo-Pacific (CIP)
Linda Bilsing - Level 3
Katie Soden
Kerry Ach
Melanie Moreno
Sierra Barkdoll
Stacey Henderson
Indian Ocean / Red Sea (IORS)
Mohammad Saleh Alshareef
Mohammed Kamal Khidr Aldahoudy
Rayan Saleh Alshareef
Pacific Northwest (PNW)
Veronica Windell - Levels 2 and 3
Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP)
Kacey Carleton - Levels 4 and 5
Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA)
Carol Cline - Level 4
Ed Benjamin - Level 4
Kathy Benjamin - Level 4
Diana Phillips - Level 3
Joanna Eriksmoen - Level 3
Mariette Brommelcamp - Level 3
Rianne Poessé - Level 3
Annemarijn Van Kesteren
Annemiek Gerritsen
Ariadna Martin Deler
Bruce Owen
Cade Hunter
Carl Belles
Caroline Ellervik
Carter McDonell
Constance Boisriveaud
Cris Hall
Danielle Nielsen
David Verschoor
Davide Chiarlo
Davinia Wilson
Denise Stuebner
Duncan Versteegh
Eddy Klijs
Emily VanBelle
Faith Frye
Francesca Piccone
Gwen Versteegh
James Johnson
Jenny Carter
Katie McCarthy
Kim Van de Put
Lisette DeRooy
Lucas Williams
Mariette Brommelcamp
Merryl Owen
Michael Deans
Mona Frederiksen
Myrthe Van Tilburg
Nanda Roseboom
Nico de Goffau
Noa Ter Avest
Noah Vinding Christensen
Rachelle Abbas
Rosaly van Dansik
Sandra Otter
Siri Dye
Skylar Tempel
Sylvie Rainville
Thomas Leonard
Xu Ling Steiner
Zoe Hamilton
Author: The REEF Team
We're kicking off a new year with our January Fish of the Month, the Bluestripe Butterflyfish, Chaetodon fremblii!
Survey Regions: Bluestripe Butterflyfish are endemic to Hawaii, which means this is the only place in the world that they are found. Click here to see a distribution for this species in the REEF database.
Size: They grow to about 6 inches.
Identifying Features: Bluestripe Butterflyfish have a yellow body with eight bright blue stripes running diagonally from head to tail. They also have a black spot high on their head and another large black spot at the base of the tail.
Fun Facts: Bluestripe Butterflyfish, like many other members of the butterflyfish family, have comb-like teeth that they use to eat small animals like worms and other invertebrates. They are mostly active during the day and tend to prefer areas with lots of coral.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Florent Charpin.
