Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
REEF and the Semmens Lab at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) are collaborating on an exciting new project that uses cutting-edge technology to improve our understanding of ocean ecosystems. The idea is simple: enable REEF volunteers to collect bits of environmental DNA (eDNA), the genetic material that animals shed into their surroundings. REEF surveyors, who are already in the water conducting fish surveys as part of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP), are excellent candidates to help gather eDNA samples. Since 1993, recreational divers and snorkelers have conducted visual REEF surveys by recording the marine life they observe in the water. These data have been used in hundreds of scientific papers and studies. Combining this new eDNA initiative with the VFSP will leverage the power of REEF's global reach and help make eDNA a more accessible tool.
REEF and the Semmens Lab developed an innovative approach to collect eDNA by attaching a small piece of filtering mesh to a REEF surveyor's scuba tank. As the diver moved around a dive site, water containing eDNA passed over the mesh, collecting genetic material. This technique was pilot tested on the REEF Field Survey Trip to the Sea of Cortez in 2022, and resulted in eDNA being collected by over 90% of samples! Researchers used the eDNA collected during that trip to study marker genes, which act as “fingerprints” for different taxa. They compared these results with the divers’ visual REEF survey data. There were 17 species detected by eDNA and on REEF surveys, including the most commonly observed fish on REEF surveys. The eDNA filter method also detected some species not recorded by REEF surveyors, including the rare Guadalupe fur seal! These results suggest that eDNA can complement visual surveys for a wide variety of species. The collaboration is ongoing, and there are plans to continue eDNA field testing on future REEF Field Survey Trips. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting work, and to learn more about the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, visit www.REEF.org/vfsp.
Author: Hilary Penner, Education Manager: Program Development
You're invited to join us on Thursday, May 9 at 8pm ET for a special webinar, Oceans for All: Exploring Diverse Experiences in Marine Conservation. This webinar celebrates the voices and experiences of people who are making an impact in marine conservation. The webinar will feature a diverse panel of marine conservation professionals who will come together to discuss and share their unique professional journeys through the field.
We are excited to welcome the following amazing panelists:
Kiirah Green is a marine scientist with a passion for exploring deep-sea biology. She has a Master of Science from UCSD Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She has conducted research on fiddler crab physiology, described seven new species of deep sea and shallow water worms, and studied coral reef ecology in Jamaica. Currently serving as a Laboratory Assistant at Scripps, Kiirah excels in various procedures, fisheries data collection, and marine science education, with a dedicated commitment to advancing marine science education and contributing to the conservation of our oceans.
Todd Bohannon has worked as an educator in the greater Seattle area for over 20 years, working exclusively in small, public, alternative schools. They have a B.A. in media studies from The Evergreen State College and a Master’s in Teaching from Antioch University-Seattle. They have worked extensively in environmental education for nearly three decades, including leading middle school trips to the Peruvian Amazon with No Barriers Youth. Todd has also worked closely with REEF since 2011, as an educator and curriculum designer for the Grouper Moon Project.
Sabeena Beg-Cook is the Executive Director of Audubon Everglades and Chair of Science Communication. Her career has spanned the environmental science, non-profit, government, and public education fields. She specializes in marine, avian, and coastal ecology, and has led research projects including coral reef and seagrass surveys and contributed significantly to environmental planning. As a conservationist, she aims to make a lasting impact through science, research, partnerships, education, science communication, and leadership in the non-profit sector.
Alex Troutman is a fish and wildlife biologist, birder, nature enthusiast, and science communicator from Austell, Georgia. He has a passion for sharing the wonders of nature and introducing the younger generation to the outdoors. He has a master’s degree in biology from Georgia Southern University. Because he knows what it feels like to not see individuals who look like you, he strives to ensure that kids have exposure to the careers they are interested in, and the diverse scientists working in those careers. Alex conducted his master's research on the seaside sparrow, a bird that lives in the tidal salt marshes off the coast of Georgia. He has also worked with endangered species like Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles and Karner Blue Butterflies. He is a member of Black in Marine Science and is currently a NOAA Knauss Fellow with the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program (FAC) at Fish and Wildlife Service.
Lys Myriam Isma is a marine biologist. She received her B.S. in biology with a minor in marine biology from Florida International University. She is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Miami in Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles’s Cnidarian Immunity Lab, and her research focuses on coral reefs and stressors, such as heat and Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. She is a member of Black Women in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Science (BWEEMS) and Black in Marine Science (BIMS).
You can register for the Oceans for All webinar at www.REEF.org/fishinars. This webinar is part of a series of educational opportunities focused on supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in marine conservation throughout the REEF Oceans for All initiative. Check out our Oceans for All page for more information.
Archived Video Recording (click to watch):
Author: Madalyn Mussey, Education Manager: Ocean Explorers Programs
The fifth annual Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K is coming up on June 8-15. Have you registered to join us yet? It's a great way to celebrate World Ocean Day! You can participate from anywhere in the world, complete the 5K at your own pace throughout the week, and pick your favorite way to get active - run, walk, hike, bike, or swim - it's up to you! When you sign up, you will choose to join one of five Fish Teams. Read on to learn more about this year's Fish Teams, and click here to read about each fish's race personality!
Fairy Basslet: These small, brightly colored fish can be found living on coral reefs, slopes, and walls in scattered groups. They are known to swim upside down, orienting their bellies to the ceilings of caves and ledges.
Horn Shark: Horn Sharks live on rocky reefs and kelp beds off the coast of southern California and Baja California, Mexico. They are active at night and tend to be reclusive during the day, hiding under recesses or inside caves.
Lumpfish: Lumpfish live in the chilly waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean, from Greenland to New Jersey. They have thick, stout bodies with modified pelvic fins that forming a suction cup, which they use to stay in place.
Pygmy Seahorse: Growing to only 2 cm in length, Pygmy Seahorses can be found clinging to sea fans. They are often pinkish in color with orange to red bumps and spots all over their body and encircling bands on their tails.
Saddled Butterflyfish:Also known as the Saddleback Butterflyfish in Hawaii, this species is found in coral-rich areas in lagoons and reefs throughout the Pacific Ocean. Like other butterflyfish species, they can often be seen in pairs.
All 5K participants will receive a limited edition race shirt, downloadable race bib, and a set of Fish Team stickers! Proceeds from the 5K support the REEF Oceans for All Fund, a pooled scholarship fund dedicated to supporting the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in marine conservation. By participating in the race, you're making a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of the oceans. Ready, set, register!
Author: Janna Nichols, Citizen Science Program Manager
We are excited to welcome Paul Bonatz to the Golden Hamlet Club, which honors the achievements of those who have conducted and submitted 1,000 REEF surveys as part of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. As the 47th REEF surveyor to achieve this milestone, Paul's name will be added to a special Golden Hamlet Club plaque that is displayed at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, FL.
Paul conducted his 1,000th survey during a trip to Little Cayman, one of his favorite places to dive. He started doing surveys in 2005 and says, "surveying is like a treasure hunt every time you enter the water." Congratulations Paul, and thank you for your amazing contributions to citizen science. Click here to read more about Paul and the Golden Hamlet Club.
Author: Jill Kuehnert, Campus Director
We’re halfway through our 2024 REEF Fish & Friends monthly seminar series, and our guest speakers have shared some amazing ocean-themed talks at the REEF Campus in Key Largo. Our speakers this year have included experts from NOAA, Ocean Conservancy, Audubon’s Everglades Science Center, and Mote Marine Laboratory. Presentation topics have included the importance of connecting people and oceans through history and shared values (January), policies that are working – and still needed – to protect Florida’s marine environment (February), the role that crabs play in the health of coral reefs (March), and what Everglades fish populations can tell us about surrounding ecosystems (April). All presentations are recorded for later viewing, and you can visit this page to see recordings of all the talks as well as all upcoming Fish & Friends presentations.
REEF Fish & Friends is free to attend, and is preceded by a community social - with snacks! - that kicks off at 6:15pm under the shade of the trees on our Native Plants Trail. If you aren't able to attend in person, the seminars are live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. We hope to see you at the REEF Campus soon!
Author: Sierra Barkdoll, Citizen Science Coordinator
The Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC) is just two months away! Held each July, the GAFC is an initiative to encourage divers and snorkelers to participate in the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project. This is a great way for anyone to get involved in citizen science and learn more about marine life by joining in ID classes and group dives. It's easy and fun to participate in the GAFC,. To get started, check out the FAQs below.
I want to attend a GAFC event. How can I learn what is happening and get involved?
Check out REEF’s online calendar of events to find GAFC events near you. You can also work with your local dive shop to organize a marine life ID class and/or a GAFC survey dive during the month of July. Feel free to get creative and turn your event into a social or cookout! To learn more about the GAFC and how to set up an event, visit www.fishcount.org.
Who can participate in the GAFC?
Anyone can join in the fun, whether you are a diver or a snorkeler. It doesn’t matter if you have done REEF surveys before or if you're brand new to surveying!
Why participate in the GAFC?
Conducting REEF surveys is a great way to add more excitement to your time in the water while collecting important information about the oceans. Your contributions provide valuable data to researchers as they monitor marine life. Volunteer divers and snorkelers conducting REEF surveys have discovered new species, helped establish the known range of certain species, tracked the spread of invasive species, and monitored changes to fish populations over time!
Can I only do this during the month of July?
REEF surveys can be conducted any time, year-round in any of REEF’s survey regions!
For more details on how to get started and to register your event, visit www.fishcount.org.
Author: Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., Director of Conservation Science
Mark your calendars for the 15th annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival on August 15-18! A Lionfish Derby is a competition where teams of divers and snorkelers compete to collect as many invasive lionfish as possible. REEF Lionfish Derbies educate the public about invasive species, gather important scientific information on lionfish populations, and promote a consumer market for lionfish.
Derby team registration is now open, and teams of two to four people may register online to compete in the derby. Registration is $90 per team through July 12, and increases to $120 per team afterwards. Teams may register in either the Apex Predators division (competitive, higher prize money) or Reef Defenders (casual, lower prize money.) Cash prizes will be awarded to the teams who collect the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.
There will be two full days of lionfish hunting on August 16 and 17. This year we are partnering with Florida Keys Brewing Company to host Invaders on Tap, a lionfish awareness celebration! Join us at the brewery from 4-9pm on August 17 for activities, vendors, food, live music, and fun for the whole family. On Sunday, August 18, there will be scoring, awards, educational demonstrations, games, lionfish tastings, and more at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, FL. 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.
Author: Amy Lee, 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 highlight Matt Wilbur, a REEF member from California. He joined REEF in 2021, started conducting surveys in 2023, and has conducted more than 220 surveys in the California, Pacific Northwest and Alaska (PAC) survey region in less than a year! We are excited to feature Matt this month and are thankful that he is part of REEF!
When and how did you first volunteer with REEF or become a REEF member? How did you first hear about REEF?
I began surveying in March 2023 after *finally* taking Herb Gruenhagen's intro fish and invert classes. Herb is one of my dive heroes and has always been so generous with sharing his knowledge that I figured I would give this survey thing a try!
What inspires you to complete REEF surveys? What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned doing a REEF fish survey?
The names of things never really interested me, but as I've grown my ID and survey skills I find that I have a much deeper understanding of the undersea environment and marine animal behavior. That alone is a huge inspiration, as is bonding with a good dive buddy over our surveys and learning more and more. The fact that our surveys are making a difference to marine conservation efforts is a huge inspiration as well.
What is your favorite part about being a REEF member?
This is so hard to answer. I love that even the experts get stumped on some IDs. I love that I can reach out now to a nudibranch expert, rockfish expert, and octopus expert when I have question about ID or behavior. It's this crazy fun, collaborative network of like minded people, and I never get tired of hearing REEF pals giggle and get excited over a great find.
What is the most fascinating fish encounter you’ve experienced?
My most fascinating encounters have been with Giant Seabass (GSBs). Last year, diving the Marine Room, my buddy Katie and I ran into a mating pair of GSBs, and she caught a video of one of them literally flashing its spots on and then off. We'd heard from the GSB collective that this was possible, but it was incredible to see it ourselves. Also fascinating was parking near some kelp in Catalina to video a male and female swimming circles. After three laps the lead GSB swam straight at me (I was frozen still) and about a foot away, let out a loud GRUNT! and turned away sharply. I left them to it.
What is your most memorable fish find and why?
The most memorable find for me was an invertebrate. Last year, we spotted an Armina nudibranch variation that hadn't been seen in the region since 2018. We see lots of Armina californicas out here, but these were orange and purple Armina - called Armina sp. because they don't have samples yet. We managed to get word to Dr. Dave Behrens, who was considering sending someone out to take samples. Super fun!
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. Join us in July for our Field Survey Trip to Tobago! We have just added additional spaces to this previously sold out trip, and it is not to be missed! Tobago's unique location in the southern Caribbean results in rich biodiversity. Outflow from Venezuela’s Orinoco River feeds this area with an abundance of nutrients, which in turn attracts an abundance of fish. The onsite resort, Speyside Inn, offers spectacular ocean views and a relaxing experience, while Tobago Dive Experience brings guests to the pristine, world-class reefs and clear waters. Check out the link below for more details, and visit www.REEF.org/trips to see all upcoming trips. To book your space, email trips@REEF.org.. Some of our upcoming trips include:
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.
Author: The REEF Team
Our May Fish of the Month is the Foxface Rabbitfish, Siganus vulpinus!
Survey Regions: Foxface Rabbitfish are found throughout the tropical Pacific, including REEF's Central Indo-Pacific (CIP), South Pacific (SOP) survey regions. Click here to see a REEF database report for this species in each region: CIP and SOP.
Size: They grow up to 10 inches.
Identifying Features: Foxface Rabbitfish have a bright yellow body with a white head and a black band running from the snout to the dorsal fin. They also have a broad black marking in front of their pectoral fins.
Fun Facts: Like other rabbitfish species, the Foxface Rabbitfish has venomous dorsal, anal, and ventral spines. They eat mostly sea grasses and algae, and can be found in coral-rich lagoons, where they like to shelter among staghorn coral. Their second part of their scientific name (vulpinus) means "fox-like."
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Florent Charpin.
