With heavy hearts, we share the news that REEF Co-Founder Paul Humann passed away on February 5, 2024. Paul was a passionate advocate for the oceans, a visionary scuba diver, and pioneering underwater photographer. His enthusiasm for the underwater world touched countless lives, and his dedication was a driving force in advancing the dive industry, ocean citizen science, and natural history.
REEF programs use citizen science, research, and education to engage peope in marine conservation. REEF members like you are an essential part of our work, and we are so thankful for the generosity of all who have contributed to REEF this winter. Your support helped us kick of 2024 on a strong note! If you have not yet made a gift this winter, will you consider making a donation now to support our ocean conservation mission? You can visit www.REEF.org/donate to contribute securely online.
Classrooms and students throughout the Cayman Islands have dived into conservation by taking part in this year's Grouper Moon Project! While the Nassau Grouper were spawning during the January full moon, REEF and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment partnered to host three livesteam sessions as an opportunity for students to interact with Grouper Moon Project researchers, learn about pathways to becoming marine scientist, and share the importance of collaboration to protect endangered Nassau Grouper.
You may have seen via email or on social media that the REEF logo has a new look! We are so excited to share this new logo with the REEF community. The new logo represents REEF's unique role in conservation. The vibrant blue hues and sun rays streaming through the water inspire feelings of hope, and the fish symbolizes our shared love of ocean life and the transformative impact of citizen science.
This month, we welcomed Mead Krówka to the REEF team as Education Coordinator. Mead is based at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida. As Education Coordinator, Mead will support and conduct REEF Ocean Explorers Programs, and coordinate community education programs such as workshops, seminars, and other outreach and tabling events.
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. This spring, we're headed to the stunning Caribbean island of St. Lucia for a week of fish surveys and fun! We'll stay at Anse Chastanet Resort and take in beautiful views of both the ocean and the mountains while enjoying daily dives with Scuba St. Lucia. The entire region is a protected marine area and excellent, easily accessible beach diving is available directly in front of the resort.
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.
Fishinar: Common Fishes of the Galapagos
Tuesday, February 20, 8pm EST
Click here to register.
The Galapagos Islands are known for their biodiversity, endemic species, and large pelagic fish. Join us to learn about some of the most commonly seen species there.
Our February Fish of the Month is the Hawaiian (Green) Lionfish, Dendrochirus barberi!
Survey Regions: Hawaiian Lionfish are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, meaning this is the only place in the world they are found! Click here to view the REEF database report for this species in the HAW survey region.
Size: They grow to a maximum length of 6.5 inches.
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. Looking for an amazing dive trip this spring? We have a few spaces left on our much-anticipated trip to Indonesia aboard the Blue Manta liveaboard. This a 12-night trip is a one-way crossing through some of the most exotic dive destinations in Indonesia, including Raja Ampat, Ring of Fire, Alor, Maumere and more.
The winter full moon is just a few weeks away, and that means REEF scientists and research partners are gearing up to study endangered Nassau Grouper spawning aggregations in the Cayman Islands. 2024 marks the 22nd year of the Grouper Moon Project, a collaborative research effort between REEF, the Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DoE), and scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and Oregon State University, aimed at studying one of the largest and last known spawning aggregations of endangered Nassau Grouper.