This year's Grouper Moon Project field season contained some unexpected surprises and raised a few questions, including "where are the fish?" Nassau Grouper normally spawn around the first winter full moon, when water temperatures drop. This is typically in late January or early February, but when the full moon falls in the middle of the months, this creates a “split moon” effect, where spawning often occurs in both months.
We're counting down to the 2025 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival this April! This event uniquely combines invasive lionfish removal with vibrant local arts and conservation efforts, aiming to engage the community in ocean conservation through interactive and educational activities. Here's what to expect:
The wait is almost over! On June 7-8, we invite you to celebrate the grand opening of the Ocean Exploration Center, a state-of-the-art hub dedicated to marine conservation, research, and citizen science, located at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, FL. It will bring together ocean enthusiasts, scientists, educators, REEF members, and the local community to discover the wonders of our ocean. We can't wait for visitors to explore the brand-new Center and experience all that it has to offer.
Exciting things are happening in the Florida Keys! The Size Matters: Innovative Length Estimates (SMILE) Project is underway, using the power of citizen science to gather essential data on fish populations. Divers and non-divers alike can help make a difference by participating in this project. Read on to learn more about the SMILE Project and how you can get involved.
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.
Spring is almost here, and this season brings a flurry of education activity! We are excited to welcome new and returning groups to the REEF Campus in Key Largo for our Ocean Explorers Education Programs! Want to learn more? Check out this quick overview of our education program offerings:
We have just released the 2026 REEF Field Survey Trips schedule, along with a few trips in 2027, and we hope you will join us on a future trip! We have plenty of exciting destinations planned. REEF Trips are led by marine life experts, and include diving, fish ID classes, and fun with friends. Divers, snorkelers, and families are welcome on REEF Trips. To find out more or book your space, email trips@REEF.org. We'll send you an invoice to submit a deposit to secure your space.
We are excited to welcome our Spring 2025 Marine Education & Conservation Interns to REEF! They will assist with education, outreach, events, and daily operations around the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida. Marine Conservation Interns play an integral role in our daily operations, programs, events, and outreach. Since 1993, more than 150 young adults have interned with REEF and transitioned into careers all over the world, in the marine conservation field and beyond. Please join us in welcoming Camila, Brit, and Anna! Here's a bit more about them:
Introducing our March Fish of the Month, the Grunt Sculpin, Rhamphocottus richardsonii!
Survey Regions: The Grunt Sculpin is found in REEF's Pacific US and Canada (PAC) survey region. It is common from Alaska to Puget Sound, with rarer sightings to the south in Oregon and California. Click here to see a distribution for this species in the REEF database.