Join Carol Cox in this informative webinar about the fish that you will see while diving in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, including changes that have taken place since the lionfish invasion and a new invasive species that has taken over the region. Tune in to find out more!
Your time zone may vary - this is a live, online session that starts at 8pm Eastern time.
Fishes covered in this session are:
It was a busy summer for REEF’s Explorers Education Program, between the Ocean Explorers Summer Camp and the “Nature Days” program with the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter. Throughout the summer, 80 children joined REEF to learn about marine conservation and environmental science in a fun, outdoor setting. Thank you to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Coral Reef Park Company, Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, Island Dolphin Care, and the Everglades Outpost who made these programs possible.
This holiday season, we are reflecting on the beginnings of REEF. Our mission to conserve marine environments began 25 years ago in the Florida Keys, when a small group of pioneering divers and conservationists took a slate on a dive and started REEF’s Volunteer Fish Survey Project, a program that would eventually become the largest marine life sightings database in the world. Since then, our work has grown to include endangered and invasive species work, as well as education and outreach. None of this would be possible without you, our members.
Thanks for your interest in 2019 Rock the Marina & Lionfish Derby, organized by Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency!
About the Derby: Sip a cocktail while enjoying “feel good reggae” music from South Florida’s most popular band, Spred the Dub, learn how to prep and cook lionfish, enjoy complimentary lionfish tastings, and learn about marine conservation and sustainability efforts that are taking place throughout the county.
Our next Fishinar will be a special one! On Tuesday, June 16, at 8pm EDT, Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., REEF Conservation Science Manager, will be giving an update on current research findings for the invasive lionfish problem in the Tropical Western Atlantic waters. Click here to register for this Fishinar - you can tune in using a laptop, tablet, or even a smartphone.
A fish as beautiful as it is destructive; invasive lionfish have had dramatic impacts on marine ecosystems due to their high reproductive rate and voracious appetites. These visually stunning fish have characteristic red and white stripes and long, fanlike spines and fins.
We recently added a few new products to our online store, including t-shirts and neck gaiters featuring colorful and unique designs that showcase each of of our core programs - the Grouper Moon Project, Invasive Species Program, and Volunteer Fish Survey Project. The new designs are printed on Comfort Colors brand t-shirts, which are soft, cozy, and pre-shrunk.
Calling all lionfish hunters! The 2021 REEF Lionfish Derby Series will kick off with the 8th Annual "Locals" Lionfish Derby on April 23-25 in Key Largo. This Earth Day Lionfish Derby will allow participants to practice social distancing while encouraging the removal of invasive lionfish from Florida Keys waters.
REEF is proud to share that a generous grant from United Way of Collier and the Keys made it possible for free bus transportation for 300 students from Key Largo School to visit the REEF Ocean Exploration Center for hands-on educational field trips as part of REEF's Ocean For All program. Check out this highlight film!
Join us at the Key West Aquarium to learn about one of the Florida Keys' most impactful marine invaders, the red lionfish. Stop by our outreach table anytime from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM to explore lionfish biology, their impacts on native reef ecosystems, and how divers and community members are helping manage this invasive species through citizen science and conservation.
Don't miss our live lionfish dissection demonstrations from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, where you'll get an up-close look at lionfish anatomy and learn what makes this species such a successful invader.
