Author: The REEF Team
Our annual summer fundraising match just ended on August 8, and we wanted to share some exciting news. Thanks to the REEF community, we reached our goal and were able to take advantage of our full match amount of $70,000! Thank you to The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, The Henry Foundation, and The Meyer Foundation for generously matching all donations this summer.
Your support makes it possible for REEF to continue studying and advancing knowledge of ocean species and habitats, empowering individuals and communities to take action, and educating the next generation of ocean leaders. Thank you again to everyone who made a gift this summer! We are so grateful to have you by our side as we work together to ensure a healthy future for the oceans.
Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
A new paper published earier this month in the journal Marine Policy discusses the recent controversial opening of a limited fishery for Goliath Grouper in the United States, and its implications for population recovery of this iconic species. Laws protecting Goliath Grouper from fishing in US federal and state waters were implemented in 1990, after the species was identified as being severely overfished. REEF volunteers have been conducting fish surveys as part of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP) throughout the Goliath Grouper's range. Because of its no-take status, there is virtually no fisheries-dependent data for Goliath Grouper, which means that the REEF database has been an invaluable source of information on the status and trends of the species. Population increases that occurred during the first 20 years of the closure were followed by a decline in the 10 years thereafter. Despite the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s call to retain full protection for this species in federal waters, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) opened a limited fishery in state waters for juvenile Goliath Grouper in 2022.
The new paper reviews available scientific literature and datasets on Goliath Grouper trends, including REEF data, and presents information on the limits of Goliath Grouper recovery, the varied threats the species is facing, and the ensuing factors that led to the species' subsequent decline. The authors discuss the risks associated with management decisions that ignore the best available scientific information, and compare management differences and difficulties among nations within the Atlantic Goliath Grouper’s range. To find out more about this and other scientific papers that have included REEF data, visit www.REEF.org/db/publications. To learn more about how the REEF data have been used to study and protect Goliath Grouper, visit www.REEF.org/goliath.
Author: Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., Conservation Science Manager
Each year during the full moon, more than 15,000 Camouflage Grouper, Epinephelus polyphekadion, converge in French Polynesia to spawn in the early morning hours. They are joined by hundreds of sharks, including gray reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, oceanic blacktip sharks and lemon sharks. The sharks take advantage of this massive gathering of large-bodied grouper to feast on distracted individuals. Divers are very fortunate to witness this spectacular natural event, and last month, REEF volunteer and scientist Tom Sparke joined a team of citizen science divers from Ocean Blue Tree Foundation in Fakarava, French Polynesia, to monitor the Camouflage Grouper spawning aggregation.
The spawning aggregation was a perfect opportunity to collect thousands of images of individual Camouflage Grouper in a very short period of time. Thanks to the generous support of Ocean Blue Tree Foundation, these citizen science divers collected valuable image data, including stereo-video imagery, which will allow for length measurements of the individuals. REEF, as part of the new GrouperSpotter project, will use the images to develop an AI-powered facial recognition platform for this species and other grouper species, allowing individuals to be matched across days, years and locations. This information will improve knowledge of population size and recruitment as well as individual growth, behavior, and mortality.
This project is a collaborative effort between REEF, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, The Semmens Lab at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Wildme, and Ocean Blue Tree Foundation. Be sure to stay tuned for more information about the GrouperSpotter project!
Author: The REEF Team
We are excited to welcome Dr. Jen Loch to the REEF Team! As a Research Associate, Jen works directly with the REEF Conservation Science program, and oversees the field implementation of the SMILE project, an initiative to incorporate fish size estimates into the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project using camera technologies. Jen comes to us with an extensive background in fish ecology. She holds a B.S. in biology from Florida State University and an M.S. in marine biology through the Three Seas Program at Northeastern University, where she studied the impacts of predation on reef fish recruitment in Mo’orea, French Polynesia. Her diverse experience includes work as a biology professor at local community colleges in Orlando, an intern at Mote Marine Lab and Disney’s Epcot aquarium, and as a conservation lands biologist for a local county government. Jen received her Ph.D. from the University of Central Florida, where she was awarded Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and Coastal Estuarine Research Federation scholarships for her research on the response of sportfish to coastal habitat restoration. She enjoys engaging with the public, anglers, and citizen scientists to better understand their knowledge of marine resources to ultimately further conservation through collaboration. Jen resides in Orlando with her husband and two young daughters. Her favorite fish is the Snook. Welcome to the REEF team, Jen!
Author: Hilary Penner, Education and Conservation Programs Manager
August is here, and for many, this means back to school season. To kick off the school year, we are hosting a virtual Educator Workshop for REEF Programs, on August 17 at 7pm EDT. All educators are invited to attend this webinar to learn more about REEF education resources including Virtual Field Trips, available for grades 3-8, and Virtual Case Studies, designed for high school students. Visit www.REEF.org/fishinars to register for the webinar. Did you know that REEF also has a special newsletter designed just for educators? This periodic newsletter provides an overview of our lessons, educational resources, and professional development opportunities. If you are a formal or informal educator, click here to subscribe and stay up to date with REEF Oceans Explorers Education Programs.
Author: Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., Conservation Science Manager
Take a bite out of lionfish at the 14th annual REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival, coming up on Sept. 7-10. The event features two full days of lionfish hunting, plus a family-friendly lionfish festival.
Teams of two to four people may register to compete in the derby. Registration is $100 per team and is open until Sept 7. Teams may register in either the Apex Predators division (competitive, higher prize money) or Reef Defenders (casual, lower prize money.) Registration is available online at www.REEF.org/derby. A Captain's Meeting to discuss safe collecting and handling procedures and derby rules will be held on Sept. 7 from 6:30-7:30pm. Participants may choose to attend the meeting in person at the REEF Campus, or join virtually. More details will be emailed to registered teams. Derby participants may hunt lionfish from sunrise to sunset on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9.
The derby weekend will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 10 with a lionfish festival at the picturesque Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina in Islamorada, Florida from noon-4pm. The festival is free and open to the public, and includes lionfish tastings, drink specials, demonstrations, games, and interactive booths from environmentally-minded vendors. Derby winners will be announced during an awards ceremony and cash prizes will be awarded to the teams who collect the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.
Want to learn more about lionfish or brush up on your collecting skills before the derby? We have a Lionfish Collecting & Handling Workshop scheduled in Islamorada on Sept. 5-7! Click here for more information about the workshop. You can also stay up to date on derby info and connect with other teams by joining the REEF Invasive Lionfish Facebook Group.
Author: Amy Lee, Communications and Engagement Manager
REEF Fest 2023 is coming up on October 19-22 in Key Largo, Florida. Join us for free, educational ocean seminars, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, nature tours, and socials! You can see all the details and register at www.REEF.org/REEFfest. We're excited to host free ocean seminars at Murray Nelson Government Center on Oct. 20 and 21. Our seminar speakers include:
- John Claydon, Ph.D., Executive Director, Integrated Marine Biosphere Research, who will discuss seafood mislabeling and the impact this has on grouper conservation.
- Alex Troutman, NOAA Knauss Fellow with the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program, who will share stories of his work in the field, while highlighting the importance of providing accessible ocean experiences and connections for historically-excluded and marginalized communities.
- Martin Russell, Manager, Coral Sea Marine Park, Australia, who will talk about management, research, and protections for the pristine reefs and islands of Australia's Coral Sea Marine Park.
- Jason Belport, Underwater Photographer, who will share a firsthand account of the challenges and hopes for the marine ecosystems of the Cayman Islands, as well as a photographic journey from dive travels around the world.
- Christy Semmens, Ph.D., REEF Co-Executive Director: Science and Engagement, and Brice Semmens, Ph.D., Professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who will celebrate of three decades of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project, and share updates on REEF's conservation science work.
In addition to ocean seminars, you can get out on the water and explore the amazing marine life of the Florida Keys by snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. Limited space is still available on our REEF Fest charters, but be sure to book your eco-excursions soon because spaces are filling fast! We also hope to see you at the annual REEF Campus Open House on Oct. 19 and the REEF Fest Happy Hour Social on Oct. 20. Lastly, don't forget to purchase your ticket to the For the Love of the Sea Celebration on Oct. 21. The event is hosted at a beautiful location overlooking Florida Bay, and includes dinner, an open bar, live music, and a silent auction. We hope to see you at REEF Fest this fall!
Author: Hilary Penner, Education and Conservation Programs Manager
We are excited to announce the REEF Ocean Ambassador Program, designed to support dedicated REEF members who actively engage and inspire others to become involved with REEF’s citizen science programs. REEF provides Ambassadors with resources to aid in their involvement, and these individuals make a lasting impact by connecting people in their communities to ocean conservation.
Throughout this year, several active members have been working behind the scenes to help us develop the REEF Ocean Ambassador program, including Curtis Johnson in Washington, Alice and Will Ribbens in Minnesota, and Meredyth and John Nelson in Virginia. Curtis has shared REEF data through presentations for local groups in the Pacific Northwest, including Deception Pass Beach Naturalists and Seattle Surfriders. Through these presentations, Curtis helps to raise awareness about the power of the REEF database while encouraging others, in particular scientific community, to use REEF data. Meanwhile, Alice and Will Ribbens organize “Fish Nights” at their local dive shop, Scuba Center. They conduct REEF surveys on their dive trips, and love to spread the word about fishwatching to fellow divers. Alice and Will have helped engage many new REEF members, in their home state of Minnesota and beyond. REEF Ambassadors Meredyth and John Nelson share presentations REEF and fish ID. They also enjoy organizing games like FISH-O (fish ID-themed bingo) for the Richmond Dive Club and Charlottesville Dive Club. When they travel on dive trips, they love sharing info about REEF with others.
We are excited to continue developing the REEF Ocean Ambassadors Program, and share more updates from our Ocean Ambassadors! If you are interested in making a difference as a REEF Ocean Ambassador, please visit this page to learn more and apply.
Author: Katie Barnes, Communications and Engagement Fellow
REEF online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what's coming up this month:
Fishinar: California Young of the Year Rockfish
Tuesday, August 15, 8pm EDT
Click here to register.
Rockfish are some of the most frequently seen fish on the Pacific coast, but how do you tell the younger ones apart? Guest presenter and NOAA Fisheries Biologist Tom Laidig will teach us how to identify those juvenile (aka young of the year or YOY) rockfish found in California, and share some fun rockfish facts!
Educator Workshop for REEF Programs
Thursday, August 17, 7pm EDT
Click here to register.
Thanks to the Coastal Partnership Initiative (CPI) grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, REEF is offering a variety of free educational resources to classroom teachers for the 2023-2024 school year, including Virtual Field Trips, Colorful Fish ID photo cards, and a marine life curriculum! All educators are invited to join us for a webinar to learn more about these resources and how to incorporate them into your classroom. .
Author: Stacey Henderson, Program Services Coordinator
The 2023 REEF Discover the Sea Underwater Photography Contest is coming soon! Starting September 1, all photographers, regardless of skill level or experience, are invited to submit their best ocean-themed photos for this year's contest.
We will be accepting photo submissions in the following categories:
Fish Portrait: Portrait shots of fish only; may include the fish's whole body or be framed around the head only
Macro: Close up shots that make the subject appear "larger than life"
Invertebrates: Photos featuring ocean life with no spine
REEF Survey: In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP), photos may include divers or snorkelers participating in the VFSP as citizen scientists, including conducting REEF surveys in the water, or topside survey activities such as data entry or fish ID classes.
Habitat/Seascape/Environment: Photos of an ocean environment or seascape. They do not have to be underwater but must be marine-focused, such as over/under shots, mangroves, or topside water shots.
Be sure to save the date, and keep an eye on your inbox and our social media channels for more info!
Photo by Jonas Furberg. "Jawfish Dance" - 3rd Place, Fish Portrait, 2022
Author: Katie Barnes, Communications and Engagement Fellow
The Conservation Challenge is a fun way to get involved in marine conservation and citizen science. You can earn collectible stickers by participating in various REEF programs and events! There are some great opportunities coming up this fall to earn different Conservation Challenge stickers, including:
- Invasive Species Program: Attend the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival on Sept. 7-10, or participate in a Lionfish Collecting & Handling Workshop to earn this sticker!
- Discover the Sea Photo Contest: Submit a photo or vote for your favorite photo in this year's contest. Submissions open on Sept. 1, so stay tuned for more information.
- REEF Fest: Join us at REEF Fest on Oct 19-22 to celebrate marine conservation. The weekend includes diving, snorkeling, kayaking, free ocean seminars, socials, and more.
- REEF Campus: Did you know that the REEF Campus includes the one of the oldest buildings in the Upper Florida Keys? Come visit the historic REEF Campus, explore the Native Plants Trail, learn more about our programs - and earn a special Conservation Challenge sticker!
Check out the rest of this e-News issue for more details about upcoming REEF events, and to learn more about the Conservation Challenge, visit www.REEF.org/conservationchallenge.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Program Services Coordinator
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. Divers, snorkelers, and families are all welcome. If you're looking for a trip to start the new year, there is still space on our upcoming trip to Grenada this winter, on January 27 – February 3, 2024. With its large variety of dive sites, Grenada is known as the dive capital of the Eastern Caribbean. Colorful reefs and spectacular shipwrecks filled with fish life will thrill all types of divers. Grenada is also home to a world-famous underwater sculpture park and has plenty of land-based activities to enjoy during surface intervals, including hiking, visiting beautiful Grand Anse Beach, river tubing, and touring historic sites.
Visit www.REEF.org/trips for more details about this and other trips. To book your space, email trips@REEF.org. Check out some of our upcoming trips with open spaces, including:
Southern Baja - Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2023
Curacao - Nov. 4-11, 2023
Grenada - Jan. 27-Feb. 3, 2024
Galapagos - March 17-24, 2024
Utila, Honduras - April 6-13, 2024
St. Lucia – May 4-11, 2024
Bonaire – July 20-27, 2024
Author: The REEF Team
Meet our August Fish of the Month, the Redspotted Hawkfish, Amblycirrhitus pinos!
Survey Regions: The Redspotted Hawkfish is found in the Tropical Western Atlantic region. Click here to view the REEF database sightings report for this species.
Size: They grow to about 4 inches.
Identifying Features: Redspotted Hawkfish have a pale body covered with brown bars. Their head, upper body, and dorsal fin are covered in red spots, and like other Hawkfish species, their dorsal fin tips have pom pom-like "tassels."
Fun Facts: There are more than 35 species of Hawkfish worldwide, but the Redspotted Hawkfish is the only Hawkfish species found in the Tropical Western Atlantic. They are often seen perching on coral or flitting around in the open for short distances. In many locations in the Caribbean, they can be seen living on or around blade fire coral in shallow water.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Florent Charpin.
