Introducing our April Fish of the Month, the Giant Hawkfish, Cirrhitus rivulatus!
Survey Regions: Giant Hawkfish are found throughout REEF's Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) survey region. Click here to see REEF database reports for this species in each region: TEP.
Size: As the largest members of the hawkfish family, they can grow up to 2 feet long!
We are excited to share a new scientific paper published last month in the journal Environmental Biology of Fishes. This study, conducted by our Grouper Moon Project team, reports on the movement patterns and spawning behavior of Tiger Grouper during their reproductive season, helping to shed light on an important, but poorly studied, member of Caribbean coral reef ecosystems.
This study, conducted as part of the Grouper Moon Project, reports on the movement patterns and spawning behavior of Tiger Grouper during their reproductive season. Tiger Grouper is one of over 20 species of reef fish that are known to use the western tip of Little Cayman in the Cayman Islands as a spawning ground. This multi-species aggregation is best known for being home to the largest and one of the last known spawning aggregations of Nassau Grouper.
REEF Into the Blue Book Club will discuss our latest book selection, Many Things Under a Rock by David Scheel.
All are invited to join in this meeting, whether you have read the book or not. For more details about Into the Blue Book Club, visit www.REEF.org/bookclub.
This meeting will be led by Hilary Penner, REEF Education and Conservation Programs Manager, and Carolyn Corley, REEF Education and Outreach Fellow.
Welcome to Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to celebrate those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Here are achievements from January, February and March 2023:
Juvenile Hamlet Award
The Juvenile Hamlet Award is for individuals who have conducted 500+ REEF surveys. You can read more here. Congratulations to our latest Juvenile Hamlet Club member, Kristi Draper!
Experience Level Advancements
If you have ever wanted to participate in a meaningful ocean conservation project, now is your chance! Limited space is available on several of our upcoming REEF Field Survey Trips. REEF Trips are eco-vacations led by marine life experts. Each trip features daily fish ID classes suitable for beginners and experienced surveyors, plus a full schedule of diving. If you're not a diver, snorkelers are also welcome! When you travel with REEF, you make a difference in the health of our oceans by participating in marine research.
This year, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP). Since its launch in the Florida Keys in 1993, this citizen science program has grown into a worldwide effort, generating one of the largest ocean databases in the world through marine life surveys. REEF surveys have been conducted at more than 15,000 sites throughout the world’s oceans, by over 16,000 volunteer divers and snorkelers worldwide.
You're invited to join us next Thursday, March 16, for Science on the Spectrum, a special virtual event highlighting neurodiversity, featuring a panel of guest speakers who will share their experiences and insights on how their perspectives shaped their careers in science. We have an amazing group of scientists taking part in this event, including:
The Conservation Challenge is a fun way to earn collectible stickers while participating in marine conservation and citizen science. Did you know that you can earn a sticker for participating in a REEF Field Survey Trip? REEF Trips are a great way to learn more about marine life while spending time with others who are interested in conservation. Spaces are still available on trips this year, so check out www.REEF.org/trips to see our schedule, and sign up for a trip today.
