Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
We don't usually think of fish as noisy animals, however, many species of fish are able to produce a variety of sounds, including clicks, purrs, grunts, pops, and even deeper noises like booms. A recent paper published in the The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America looked at the sounds made by different grouper species, as part of the Grouper Moon Project. Each winter, the Grouper Moon Project team visits Little Cayman in the Cayman Islands, to study the endangered Nassau Grouper spawning aggregation and better understand the ecology and dynamics of the aggregating grouper. During winter full moons, nearly 8,000 Nassau Grouper gather at the spawning site, and more than 20 other species of reef fish have been also documented using this important place for reproduction. This study used the sounds produced by Nassau Grouper, Red Hind, Black Grouper, and Yellowfin Grouper to monitor the positions of these fish at the aggregation.
By using fish sounds recorded by multiple instruments, we were able to monitor the presence and location of the fish before, during, and after Nassau Grouper spawning. By knowing the locations of the fish, it was possible to measure how loud these fish sounds are and determine how far away they may be detected. We found that Nassau Grouper sounds were the loudest and may be detectable up to 300 meters from the recording instruments! Additionally, the timing and locations of sound production suggest that there are no Nassau Grouper spawning events that occur during the night, but there may be overlap in space and time between Red Hind and Nassau Grouper spawning aggregations. These continuous and overnight sound recordings added valuable observations to the limited period of times when divers are able to survey the area, and adds to our understanding of this critical spawning aggregation.
The full citation of the paper is: Wilson, KC, A Širović, BX Semmens, SR Gittings, CV Pattengill-Semmens, and C McCoy. 2022. Grouper Source Levels and Aggregation Dynamics Inferred from Passive Acoustic Localization at a Multispecies Spawning Site. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 151, 3052; https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0010236.
To see a full list of all scientific papers that have resulted from REEF's programs, visit www.REEF.org/db/publications.
Author: The REEF Team
Our annual fundraising match is here - and that means when you make a contribution to REEF this summer, your gift has twice the impact for the oceans. Now through August 8, all donations to REEF will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $70,000! We are so thankful to our three foundation partners, the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, the Henry Foundation, and the Meyer Foundation, for their longtime support of REEF by providing our summer donation match. You can make a donation online at www.REEF.org/donate.
As a special thank you, donors who give $250 or more will receive a limited-edition set of marine life notecards. This notecard set – available only for donors this summer – features eight stunning fish images, photographed by REEF Co-Founder Ned DeLoach. Ned and his wife Anna have chosen some of their treasured fish photos to highlight the amazing and diverse life found in our oceans.
Keep an eye on your inbox this summer. We'll be sharing some of our favorite “stories from the field” to show how your support makes a difference as work together to acheive conservation success. Thank you for your support of REEF!
Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
We are excited to welcome Sierra Barkdoll to the REEF staff team as Citizen Science Coordinator. Sierra joined the staff in June 2022 after serving as a REEF Marine Conservation Intern (MCI) and Lead Intern over the past year and a half. In her new staff role, Sierra will work closely with Janna Nichols, REEF's Citizen Science Program Manager to support the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, REEF's cornerstone citizen science program. She will also assist with event logistics at the REEF Campus, continue to coordinate the Conservation Challenge program (which she started during her internship), and provide mentorship and guidance for the MCI Program.
Sierra grew up outside of Baltimore, Maryland, where she was minutes away from the Chesapeake Bay. While spending many hours on the bay, Sierra developed a love for nature and aquatic environments. She graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 2020 with a B.S. in environmental science and geography, a minor in biology, and a GIS certificate. Sierra enjoys getting people excited about fish and marine conservation. By working closely with the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, she hopes to instill an excitement for marine environments in others. Please give Sierra a big, fishy welcome!
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
REEF members are the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. A diverse community of divers, snorkelers, and ocean enthusiasts support our mission to conserve marine environments worldwide.
This month, we're pleased to introduce Chunnie Wright, the newest member of the REEF Board of Trustees. Chunnie has been a REEF member since 2008 and joined the Board of Trustees in the spring of 2022. She is the owner of the Law Office of Chun T. Wright, a Washington, DC-based boutique law firm, which focuses on trademark and copyright law, emerging technologies, and adventure travel law. She has been a litigator at major law firms in the San Francisco Bay Area, a federal prosecutor in Washington, DC, and vice president of anti-piracy legal affairs at a DC-based trade association. In addition to REEF, Chunnie serves on other boards that focus on conservation, nature, and adventure travel. She received her BBA from the University of Texas at Austin and her J.D. from the University of California Berkeley School of Law. She is an avid diver and traveler. As an enthusiastic and efficent business person and attorney (as well as an adventurous spirit - she has summited Mount Kilimanjaro!), Chunnie brings a valuable perspective and skill set to REEF, and we are excited to have her as a member of the Board of Trustees. Check out our Q&A with Chunnie to learn more. You can view bios of the full REEF Board of Trustees here.
Where are you from?
I live in Maryland, in the Washington, DC metro area, but as a “military brat,” I don’t feel like I’m “from” anywhere. I spent my early life in Asia (Japan and Korea) and the rest of my childhood in Georgia, Italy, and Texas. I went to college in Texas and spent seven years in the San Francisco Bay Area, attending law school and working.
When and how did you become involved with REEF?
I was first introduced to REEF through Ned and Paul’s Reef Fish Identification books, which I devoured on a liveaboard in Fiji as a new diver. I couldn’t get enough of marine life ID and joined REEF in 2008. I met Ned and Anna shortly after that on a dive trip to Bonaire where they were holding their annual Marine Life Education Program. We stayed in touch over the years and my involvement with REEF expanded to helping REEF with some of its legal needs.
What inspires you the most about REEF’s mission and programs?
I love that they are built around a strong sense of community, and that they have made substantial impacts in conserving our marine environment. While REEF’s work involves serious issues, its programs are fun, educational and engaging and really tap into the passion and observational talents of divers, snorkelers and anyone who loves marine life. The people behind REEF are extremely talented and committed. The people inspire me just as much as REEF’s mission and programs.
What is your favorite fish (or animal?)
My favorites include the Redlip Blenny, Bottlenose Dolphin, Manta Ray, and out of water, the Bateleur Eagle.
Where is your favorite place to travel, or a place you’ve always wanted to visit?
I love to travel to new places and preferably ones where I can dive and that take me out of my comfort zone. I have seen a lot of the world but haven’t yet dove in Palau or Indonesia so those are high on my list. I also love art, history and food so France and Italy are always a joy to visit and they’re just a short overnight flight from where I live.
What is your favorite book?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
What do you do in your free time?
Outside of diving and adventure travel, cooking, reading, running/swimming, and gardening in raised beds which is new for me.
Who is your hero?
Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman in Congress. She inspired me to become a lawyer.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
It's hard to settle on one thing. Joining the REEF Board of course, plunging into the abyss by starting my own legal practice and making it past year five, helping countless people and businesses in my professional work, summitting Mt. Kilimanjaro a few years ago for a milestone birthday, and working with wonderful women early in my career to found a non-profit that assists API domestic violence victims in the Washington, DC area.
Author: The REEF Team
REEF is excited to announce the new Marine Conservation Fellow Program, and we are currently seeking qualified individuals to apply for three open positions, each with a different focus. Current fellowship openings include: Education and Events, Communications and Outreach, and Conservation Science. The fellowship is designed to equip recent college graduates and other early career individuals with the tools, experiences, support, and community they need to become leaders in marine conservation. Full details and position descriptions can be found at www.REEF.org/fellow. The target audience for the Marine Conservation Fellow Program is college-aged/early-career individuals. The program is not limited to US citizens, but international applicants need to secure all necessary visas and permits.
The fellowship is a full-time (40-hour/week) position, and we are asking that Fellows commit to a 9-12-month position. Fellows will be based at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida (US). Program hours are typically Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Fellows often have responsibilities for participating in evening and weekend events. Stipend and Housing: REEF Fellows receive a $1,000/month stipend and housing in a furnished home in Key Largo, FL, shared with other Fellows and Marine Conservation Interns. Fellows should have their own transportation.
Review of applications will begin on July 5, 2022, and then review will be on a rolling basis after that. Desired start date for incoming Fellows is August 22, but the actual start date remains flexible for the right candidate. Fellow positions will remain open until filled. We do not anticipate filling all three positions at the same time. Interested candidates may apply online at www.REEF.org/fellow-application. The application includes an online form, an attachment with cover letter, CV/resume, and answers to several questions, and one letter of reference. Be sure to read each of the position descriptions posted online to understand the scope of responsibilities.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Program Services Coordinator
We are now accepting reservations for the REEF Field Survey Trip to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands! Trip dates are February 18-25, 2023. Join us and enjoy the Caribbean’s natural beauty right outside your doorstep with swaying coconut trees, a vibrant shoreline, and a beautiful sandy beach. This trip includes six days of diving with local operator Dive Aqua Marine, allowing plentiful opportunities to explore a variety of sites including wrecks, reefs, and walls. After diving, relax in Bolongo Bay Beach Resort's tropically adorned oceanview rooms, each with a private balcony. With an all-inclusive resort package and easy travel access - no passport needed for US citizens! - this trip is a perfect mid-winter getaway for both divers and non-divers. Visit this page to check out all the details, and contact trips@REEF.org to book your space.
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
Mark your calendar for REEF Fest, coming up on October 13-16, 2022 in Key Largo, Florida. REEF Fest is an annual celebration of marine conservation, featuring free ocean-themed seminars, eco-excursions, social events, and more. REEF Fest registration is now open, and we hope you can join us! You can register for REEF Fest 2022 here. We have a spectacular lineup of seminar speakers joining us for REEF Fest 2022, including:
• Dr. Chris Stallings, Associate Professor, University of South Florida, who will discuss the history and significance of Goliath Grouper in Florida,
• Dr. Andrea Grover, Associate Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha, who will share how citizen science can support climate resilience,
• Dr. Ben Titus, Assistant Professor, University of Alabama and Senior Marine Scientist, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, who will explain how clownfish-sea anemone symbiosis and citzien science are connected, and
• Dr. Richard Smith, Underwater Photographer, Author, and Marine Conservationist, who will share a richly-illustrated talk highlighting small and cryptic (yet stunning) coral reef inhabitants like pygmy seahorses.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to get on the water and explore the amazing marine habitats of the Florida Keys by snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. Check out our eco-excursion partners here. One of our favorite parts of REEF Fest is reconnecting with friends during the social events each evening. We're looking forward to the annual REEF Campus Open House, mingling between seminars at the REEF Fest Happy Hour Social, and enjoying food and drink plus a stunning sunset over Florida Bay at For the Love of the Sea. You can view more details about the REEF Fest socials here.
Visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest for registration and to see the full event schedule and details. We hope to see you in Key Largo this fall!
Author: Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., Conservation Science Manager
Calling all lionfish hunters - you're invited to participate in the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival on Sept. 8-11, 2022. The event includes two days to collect as many invasive lionfish as possible, followed by a family-friendly festival hosted at Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina in Islamorada. The festival is open to the public and features lionfish tastings, drink specials, educational demonstrations, games, interactive booths from environmental vendors, live music, and more. Click here for the full schedule and all event details.
Teams of two to four people may register to compete in the derby. Be sure to sign up soon to take advantage of the early bird rate of $75 per team, available until August 8. Registration is available online here.
For more information, check out the 2022 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival Facebook event. You can also stay up to date on derby info and connect with other teams by joining the REEF Invasive Lionfish Facebook Group. We hope to see you at the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival!
Author: Sierra Barkdoll, Citizen Science Coordinator
Are you participating in the Conservation Challenge? It's a fun way to get involved in marine conservation and earn collectible stickers for completing different challenges. Get ready to jump in the water (or take a look through your camera's memory card) to complete this month's featured Conservation Challenge: the Discover the Sea Underwater Photography Contest. All you need to do to complete this Conservation Challenge (and earn the corresponding sticker) is enter one or more of your photos into the contest, or simply cast a vote for your favorite photo.
All REEF members may submit photos to the Discover the Sea Photography Contest now through July 31. The contest is open to everyone; you don't have to be a professional photographer to participate. The contest includes six categories: Fish Portrait-Tropical, Fish Portrait-Temperate, Macro, Invertebrate, REEF in Action, and Habitat/Seascape/Environment. Winning photos will be selected based on a popular vote. Online voting will take place in August, and voting links will be shared once the submission period has ended. Check out all the details at www.REEF.org/photocontest. For more information about the Conservation Challenge and details about other stickers you can add to your collection, visit www.REEF.org/conservationchallenge.
Photo by Ahmed Shawky.
Author: Sierra Barkdoll, Citizen Science Coordinator
REEF's online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what is coming up in the next several weeks:
Fishinar: Seeing Red: Hawaiian Lookalikes
Wednesday, June 15, 8pm EDT
Click here to register.
Not only do these fish stay out of sight, they are also tricky to tell apart. Guest presenters and expert Hawaii fish surveyors, Chuck and Kara Curry, will teach us how to distinguish between the red fishes hidden in the crevices and caves of Hawaiian reefs.
Fishy Hour: Drawing Fish for Beginners Part 2
Thursday, June 30, 8pm EDT
Click here to register.
Join us for the next installment of Drawing Fish for Beginners! Maui-based artist Maggie Sutrov will be leading us in drawing more fish in this fun session. This is a great way to express your creativity and train your eyes to recognize identifying features on a fish. Our first "Drawing Fish" class reached the maximum number of registrants, so be sure to register soon to secure your space.
Author: The REEF Team
Introducing our June Fish of the Month, the Guineafowl Puffer (Arothron meleagris)!
Survey Regions: The Guineafowl Puffer is found in throughout the tropical Pacific, including REEF's Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) region, Central Indo Pacific (CIP) region, South Pacific (SOP) region, and Indian Ocean and Red Sea (IORS) region, as well as Hawaii (HAW), where it is known as the Spotted Putter. Visit these links to view each region's database report for this species: TEP, CIP, SOP, IORS, and HAW.
Size: They grow to about 20 inches.
Identifying Features: Guineafowl Puffers are round and deep-bodied. They have two distinct color phases: black with numerous pale spots covering the body (pictured) or bright yellow with dark blotches. As a member of the pufferfish family, their skin does not have scales.
Fun Facts: Guineafowl Puffers have pronounced mouths with powerful, fused teeth, which they use to eat a variety of sessile (aka stationary) invertebrates, including sponges, soft coral, and their favorite meal, branching coral. Like some other pufferfish species, the Guineafowl Puffer can be poisonous to potential predators thanks to symbiotic bacteria that secrete toxins in its body.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Jeff Haines.
