REEF members are at the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Over 43,000 divers, snorkelers, students, and armchair naturalists stand behind our mission.
This month we highlight Sally Davies (REEF member since 2004) and her sister Helen Davies (REEF member since 2006). Collectively they have conducted 100 surveys, and both participated in the recent inaugural South Pacific REEF Trip (more on that next month!). Here's what Helen had to say about REEF:
Every month, scientists, government agencies, and other groups request raw data from REEF’s Fish Survey Project database. Here is a sampling of who has asked for REEF data recently and what they are using it for:
- NOAA scientists from the Protected Resources Division are using data on three species of endangered rockfish to evaluate their status in the Salish Sea.
-University of Washington scientists are using REEF data on invasive tunicates to map distribution of the species throughout the Pacific Northwest.
REEF is proud to partner with over 130 dive shops, dive clubs, individuals, and other organizations as REEF Field Stations.
Predicting and mitigating the effects of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans on Caribbean fish communities requires a thorough understanding of the species’ predation behaviour in the invaded range, including the types and amounts of prey consumed and how foraging patterns vary in relation to extrinsic conditions. We studied the activity levels and prey consumption rates of lionfish on 12 shallow coral reefs in the Bahamas in relation to time of day and prey availability.
For Immediate Release
July 12, 2011
Join REEF on Saturday August 13th for the Palm Beach County Lionfish Derby!
More information and registration details can be found at http://www.reef.org/lionfish/derbies.
A good time was had by all who participated in the Third Annual Lionfish Derby at Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas on June 24th and 25th, 2011. The event was held at the Green Turtle Club, whose sponsorship, along with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Brendals Dive Center, REEF and numerous donors from Palm Beach County, Florida make this one of the most exciting competitions of the summer.
Free diving, free food, and free fish ID seminar sponsored by National Geographic Magazine and the Rosenstiel School, University of Miami. Meet at Tarpoon Diving Center, Miami Beach at 2:30 for a presentation by DERM on Wreck Trek connectivity. At 3:15, REEF will give a free Fish ID seminar and at 5pm the boat will leave the dock for a free one tank dive on the Wreck Trek!
On the cruise back to the dock, BYOB and enjoy food provided by El Brazo Fuerto Bakery.
There is no boat fee, just contact your local dive shop to rent a tank and gear!
The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) will launch the 19th Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC) with an open house and presentation at its headquarters in Key Largo, Florida Tuesday July 12th at 6:30 PM.
Join Philter and dive for the Great Annual Fish Count with REEF. We will be organizing a dive off the coast of Laguna Beach at the Rock Pile with a benefit Beach BBQ to follow at Heisler Park. Saturday July 9th at 8:00am.
Proceeds will go to REEF foundation.
