Author: Amy Lee, Communications Manager
In October 2022, a group of REEF surveyors found and photographed the rare, endemic Fork-bar Blenny, Starksia y-lineata, during a REEF Field Survey Trip to Grand Cayman. Trip leader and REEF Education Manager Madalyn "Moose" Mussey initially found the fish while diving at Sunset House. She also captured the first live photograph of the species, pictured above.
The Fork-bar Blenny is a member of the Starksia genus, which includes many small, shy, secretive blennies that are rarely seen by divers. There are currently more than 30 known species of Starksia blennies throughout the Tropical Western Atlantic, and more are expected to be added as underwater discoveries continue to be made! Many species of Starksia live in a limited geographic range, and the Fork-bar Blenny is no exception - it is endemic to the Cayman Islands, which means it is not found anywhere else in the world! Photographing an endemic species is often a rare opportunity, and capturing the first-ever live photograph of a species is an exciting accomplishment for any REEF surveyor or fish enthusiast.
Here's what Moose had to say about finding the Fork-bar Blenny during the trip: "It was shallow, only about 10 feet deep. I actually saw two of them, but I didn't get a picture of the first one because it darted away so fast. The one I photographed was on a algae covered coral head. It stayed out for a while and then eventually darted into a hole in the reef. The first thing I noticed was the neon blue y-shaped stripes on the body. But it was SO tiny, I would imagine a big part of why no one has photographed one before is because of how little they are. They would go unnoticed easily."
Over the years, several other REEF staff, surveyors, and underwater photographers have documented fish alive in the wild by photograph for the first time. Fish taxonomist Dr. Ben Victor has coined the “Unicornfish Award” to track this achievement on social media. This is another great example of the power of citizen science programs like the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project, and demonstrates the strong collaboration between REEF's network of volunteers and the scientific/taxonomic community.
Author: Mead Krówka, Education Coordinator
Spring has been a rewarding and productive season for the REEF Campus-based Ocean Explorers Education team! From traveling to the Florida panhandle to lend a hand with measuring fish at the world's largest lionfish derby, to attending a conservation-based music festival on the beach in south Florida, we have been spreading the word about REEF’s programs far and wide. Here are some recent education and outreach highlights.
We recently attended Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival. This three-day, oceanfront music festival is dedicated to creating awareness and raising funds for ocean conservation. We had a booth at the festival's Conservation Village, and throughout the weekend more than 1,500 visitors stopped by to learn about our marine conservation programs and hear about our invasive lionfish work. This was a fantastic way to engage with ocean lovers from around the country while enjoying great music. We always enjoy attending Tortuga Music Festival, and are thankful to Rock the Ocean for their continued support.
Several weeks after returning from Tortuga Music Festival, we hosted our second annual Arts & Science Festival at the REEF Campus in Key Largo. Attendees enjoyed a day full of art, crafts, science, and education activities, including writing a letter to reef to making tie-dye creations. Local artists, non-profits and artisanal vendors were also in attendance, with interactive activity booths and crafts of their own to help highlight the many connections between science and the arts.
In May, we traveled to Destin, Florida, to celebrate Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day by staffing a booth at the Emerald Coast Open, the world's largest lionfish derby. During the 2024 tournament, 11,844 invasive lionfish were removed from Florida’s waters. We are thankful to have had the chance to help educate the public about the lionfish invasion and what people can do to help, from collecting lionfish to spreading the word to raise awareness.
In addition to outreach events, we welcomed plenty of visitors to the REEF Campus for education programs this spring. We recently hosted a group of students Georgia State University, who traveled to the Keys for a REEF Ocean Explorers Expedition. They enjoyed a week filled with hands-on field experiences, where they learned about invasive species, endangered species, tropical ecology, fish identification, and citizen science. They got to conduct REEF surveys while snorkeling, kayak through the mangroves, create their own lionfish jewelry, and conduct lionfish dissections.
Want to keep up with our programs? You can see all upcoming REEF events by viewing our calendar here.
Author: Amy Lee, Communications Manager
As summer approaches, we are gearing up to host two of our biggest annual conservation events later this year. We hope you can join us in the Florida Keys for one or both of these events. Whether you're a diver, snorkeler, or land-based ocean lover, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival - August 15-18: Our 15th annual event features two full days of lionfish hunting plus a family-friendly lionfish awareness celebration at Florida Keys Brewing Company. This year, the scoring, lionfish demos, and derby awards ceremony will be held at the REEF Campus in Key Largo. Cash prizes will be awarded to the teams who collect the most, largest, and smallest lionfish. Want to participate in the derby? Team registration is now open, and teams of two to four people may register online to compete in the derby. Teams may register in either the Apex Predators division (competitive, higher prize money) or Reef Defenders (casual, lower prize money.) Registration is $90 per team through July 12, and increases to $120 per team afterwards. Check out all the info at www.REEF.org/derby.
Want to learn more about invasive lionfish or brush up on your collecting skills? We will be organizing free Lionfish Collecting & Handling Workshops before the derby. Stay tuned for more information and workshop dates. You can keep up with derby info and connect with other lionfish hunters by joining the REEF Invasive Lionfish Facebook Group.
REEF Fest - October 17-20: Our annual marine conservation celebration in Key Largo includes plenty of fun activities like diving, snorkeling, kayaking, ocean seminars, nature tours, and socials. Registration will open very soon, so stay tuned and watch your inbox and our social media for more info! Visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest for details.
Author: Madalyn Mussey, Education Manager: Ocean Explorers Programs
This week, hundreds of ocean lovers from all over the world are getting active in support of marine conservation by participating in the fifth annual REEF Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K. The 5K kicked off on World Ocean Day on June 8, and continues through June 15. Participants can choose their favorite exercise - walking, running, hiking, biking, swimming, or even paddling. If you haven't registered, it's not too late to join in! You can complete your 5K at your own pace this week, and participate from anywhere in the world. You can sign up through June 15 by visiting www.REEF.org/5K.
If you're taking part in the race this week, we'd love to see your photos of you in your 5K swag! Be sure to post your pictures on social media and tag us on Facebook or Instagram, or you can email them to us at 5krace@REEF.org.
Proceeds from the Fish Out of Water 5K support the REEF Oceans for All initiative. Oceans for All supports scholarships, programming, and outreach activities to provide ocean experiences and education for all. Visit this page to learn more and watch a video about Oceans for All.
Friends, families, co-workers, and dive buddies have teamed up to form Fish Shoals to complete the 5K together! There are more than 40 Fish Shoals participating in the 5K this year, and you can check out the full list of Fish Shoals here.
Thank you to all who are participating in this year's Fish Out of Water 5K. Together, we are making a difference and ensuring a healthy future for our oceans!
Author: Sierra Barkdoll, Citizen Science Coordinator
Dive into citizen science this summer by joining in the Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC)! Every July, divers and snorkelers are invited to participate in this initiative to learn about marine life and conduct REEF surveys as part of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Individuals and groups can organize their own GAFC events, from survey dives to fish ID classes. Some even add to the fun by offering prizes, hosting socials, and more! You can check out the GAFC calendar to find an event near you. Be sure to check it out because new events are being organized and added each week! If you don't see a GAFC event in your area, you can organize your own. Visit www.fishcount.org to learn more about the GAFC and see tips for organizing an event.
Author: Amy Lee, Communications Manager
We are excited to welcome our Summer 2024 Marine Conservation Interns to REEF! They will assist with education, outreach, events, and daily operations around the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida. Marine Conservation Interns play an integral role in our daily operations, programs, events, and outreach. Since 1993, more than 150 young adults have interned with REEF and transitioned into careers all over the world, in the marine conservation field and beyond. Please join us in welcoming Sydney, Jasmine, Annika, and Diana! Here's a bit more about them:
Sydney Brock is currently working on her B.S. degree in environmental science from the University of South Carolina, with minors in marine science and Spanish. Originally from Marietta, GA, Sydney is passionate about environmental education and sustainable tourism, and she hopes to pursue a career in science outreach. She has studied abroad several times in her undergraduate career, including trips to South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. On campus, Sydney works as a lifeguard and a research assistant on multiple renewable energy projects. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, being outdoors, watching movies, and hanging out with friends. She is excited to work with REEF and share her love for conservation, education, and ecotourism.
Jasmine Mateo graduated from Stony Brook University in May 2024 with a B.S. in biology with a specialization in ecology and evolution. She grew up in the Bronx, and has always been fascinated with animals and the environment. By immersing herself in nature and educating people on environmental issues, she has developed a great passion for conservation and environmental education. As a resident assistant, she has facilitated programs about conservation and ecology, and found joy in educating residents about these topics. She has also volunteered for the Coastal Steward Long Island, where she assisted in a shellfish restoration program by helping to grow, clean, and release oysters. She also created newsletters to communicate the importance of oyster restoration and conservation to a diverse audience. Jasmine is excited to learn more about marine conservation and gain skills in environmental education at REEF!
Annika Olson is pursuing a B.S. in environmental and ocean science at the University of San Diego, with minors in biology and Spanish. Originally from northern California, Annika's interest in the ocean started in high school, and has only grown since earning her scuba certification and exploring the San Diego ecosystems. Last summer, she took a class through School for Field Studies in Turks and Caicos, where she studied the effectiveness of marine protected areas on Queen Conch. Annika also currently works in a lab at USD studying soil composition of a local canyon after fire destruction, analyzing DNA found in the samples to identify the nitrogen fixing organisms. She is thrilled to be exploring the world of marine conservations non-profits with REEF this summer, and hopes to have a lasting impact while she is here.
Diana Phillips graduated in May 2024 from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale Florida with a B.S. in marine biology and minors in research, pre-health, and GIS. She grew up with a strong interest in the ocean and a love for jellyfish. As a teenager, she was a part of SCUBAnauts International and participated in scientific research and conservation while diving. In college, Diana researched deep sea jellyfish using underwater robots. She won 2nd place for her research at the Life Sciences South Florida symposium, and presented about the applications of GIS in deep sea research at 2024 American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Geospatial Workshop. Diana is REEF's 2024 Our World Underwater Scholarship recipient. She has a passion for engaging the public in citizen science and conservation. In her free time, she enjoys reading fiction, SCUBA diving, photography, hiking, spelunking, camping, and playing ice hockey.
Welcome to REEF, Sydney, Jasmine, Annika, and Diana! For more information about the Marine Conservation Internship or to apply for an upcoming semester, visit www.REEF.org/internship.
Author: Sierra Barkdoll, Citizen Science Coordinator
Our online programs are free and open to all! Check out what's coming up, and view the entire schedule of Fishinars (marine life ID webinars) and other online programs here.
Fishinar: Masters of Camouflage
Tuesday, June 18 8pm ET
Click here to register.
Join REEF volunteer and Fish Geek Extraordinaire Jonathan Lavan for a trip around the world to marvel at the clever disguises of some hidden marine creatures.
Bargibanti's Pygmy Seahorse photo by Jonathan Lavan.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Field Survey Trips Program Manager
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. Escape the winter and join us next February for a Field Survey Trip to Belize! Located on Ambergris Caye, SunBreeze Hotel is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. The hotel faces the famous Belize Barrier Reef, which has three of Western Hemisphere’s four coral atolls and the second-largest continuous coral reef in the world. Only a short 5-10 minute cruise from the SunBreeze pier, the reef is full of color and fish life. This is also a great spot for non-divers as there is plenty to do downtown, or simply enjoy relaxing by the pool. Check out this and other upcoming trips with open spaces, including:
Tobago: July 27-August 3 -- More information here.
Grand Cayman: Sept. 28-Oct.5 -- More information here.
Indonesia - Lembeh Strait: Nov. 2-13 -- More information here.
Dominica: Nov. 2-9 -- More information here.
Cozumel: Dec. 7-14 -- More information here.
Maldives: Jan. 12-22, 2025 -- More information here.
Belize: Feb. 15-22, 2025 -- More information here.
Author: The REEF Team
Our June Fish of the Month is the Lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus!
Survey Regions: Lumpfish are found throughout the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, from Greenland to New Jersey, including REEF's Northeast US and Canada (NE) survey region. Click here to view a REEF distribution report for this species.
Size: They can reach up to 2 feet in length!
Identifying Features: Lumpfish come in a variety of colors depending on their habitat, including blueish gray, green, olive, yellow, or brown. They have a thick, stout body with an assortment of lumps, bumps, and ridges, as well as a thick layer of skin covering their first dorsal fin, which resembles a large mohawk.
Fun Facts: While Lumpfish may not be the most hydrodynamic species, they have modified pelvic fins that form a suction cup on their belly to help them attach to the ocean bottom. Males use this suction to stay in place when guarding and tending to eggs, which they frequently aerate and clean by blowing water on them. The Lumpfish is also one of this year's Fish Out of Water 5K teams! Click here to learn more.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Alison Johnson.
