Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
The impacts of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) on native coral reef populations in the Western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea can be enormous. However, there is still more to be learned about how much lionfish impacts differ from native predators, such as small grouper/seabass species (also known as mesopredators.) A new scientific paper recently published in the journal Coral Reefs evaluates these differences. The paper, titled "Ecological impacts of an invasive mesopredator do not differ from those of a native mesopredator: lionfish in Caribbean Panama," presents empirical evidence from Caribbean Panama and beyond, suggesting that lionfish are less abundant than native mesopredators, such as small seabass. Their findings also show the lionfish and Graysby, a native mesopredator, have similar direct impacts on survivorship and size distributions of Masked Goby, a native prey species, in spite of differences in predator population numbers.
The authors used REEF data collected from sites throughout the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Western Atlantic from 2010-2015 to supplement data collected as part of their field work. By leveraging the citizen-science data collected by REEF volunteers, the authors evaluated the impacts of native and non-native mesopredators across a much broader geographic region and longer time period than otherwise possible based solely on surveys conducted as part of their field work, which was limited to just one year in Caribbean Panama. REEF data substantially enhanced the evidence used to show that lionfish tended to be much less common than Graysby over the six-year period. The findings of this paper will help guide lionfish management and control, and provide support for synergies between conservation actions aimed both at the invasion and other consequential problems such as overexploitation and climate change. Visit www.REEF.org/db/publications to read the full paper, and to see a full listing of the 100+ scientific publications that have included REEF data and programs.
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
Since 1993, REEF volunteers have played an important role in collecting marine life data as part of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. In addition to ongoing worldwide surveys, REEF also mobilizes teams to collect data for special scientific or monitoring projects. Our latest monitoring project, the Species Snapshot Project, is designed to capture information about sites along the coast of Florida. The goal of the project is to explore and gather baseline data on under-surveyed areas and alternative habitats along Florida's coastline.
During each Species Snapshot Project session, a team of Expert Level REEF surveyors conduct fish surveys at a collection of sites to capture the breadth of fish biodiversity in the area. The baseline data will help us monitor changes in fish populations over time and identify biodiversity hotspots. Collecting these data with a team of experienced surveyors allows us to take a “biological snapshot” of each area.
A team of REEF surveyors completed the first Species Snapshot Project session in July, surveying sites between Carysfort Reef at the northern tip of Key Largo to the northern end of Biscayne National Park. Click here to view the report from the July project. The next portion of the project will take place later this month in Miami.
Members who achieve Expert status (Levels 4 and 5) in a given region are invited to join the REEF Advanced Assessment Team (AAT). AAT members may be invited to participate in special regional monitoring and assessment projects, such as the Species Snapshot Project. Click here to view current and past AAT monitoring projects.
Author: Janna Nichols, Citizen Science Program Manager
September was an exciting month for members of the Pacific Northwest REEF Advanced Assessment Team (AAT). Expert Level surveyors (Levels 4 and 5) assisted with the annual Salish Sea monitoring project. This year’s effort was focused in the southern Salish Sea - South Puget Sound in Washington. The project, now in its 8th year, is conducted in partnership with UC Davis’ SeaDoc Society, and also includes sites in the San Juan Islands and islands off Vancouver, British Columbia.
During the four-day project, 13 REEF volunteer divers monitored select sites of varying habitat types, including walls, rocky reefs, clay and sandstone areas, and kelp beds throughout southern Puget Sound, conducting 48 surveys. The weather alternated between sunny skies, rainstorms, wind and chop, and calm seas. Water temperatures were about 55°F.
This long-term monitoring project helps ensure data are available to document shifts and changes in populations and community structure as well as cataloging biological diversity. REEF data from the Pacific Northwest region have been used in numerous scientific publications and have been incorporated in several policy decisions on species from rockfish to octopus. Visit www.REEF.org/db/publications to see all publications that include REEF data.
Thank you to the REEF Advanced Assessment Team members who volunteered their time to make this project possible, including Doug Miller, Ed Gullekson, Lorne Curran, Rhoda Green, Claude Nichols, Joe Gaydos, Ellie Place, Carol Cline, Gregg Cline, Edgar Graudins, Tabitha Jacobs-Mangiafico and Don Noviello, plus project leader and REEF staff member Janna Nichols. We also want to say a big thank you to Rick and Jackie Myers of Bandito Charters in Tacoma, Washington, who provided field support, hot soup, and friendly assistance.
Author: The REEF Team
We are excited to welcome Hilary Penner to the REEF Team. As the new Education and Conservation Programs Manager, Hilary will develop community partnerships, create new youth learning opportunities, and engage REEF members to support our ocean conservation mission. While she's new to the staff, she not new to the organization; Hilary comes from a family of multi-generational REEF members and she herself has been involved with REEF for over two decades as a volunteer. Her first experience with REEF was on a Field Survey Trip to Bimini in 1996. A previous South Florida resident, she worked with sea turtles at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, and volunteered at the original REEF Headquarters location, in a small storefront in north Key Largo. When she moved to Colorado to be closer to family, she started an inland ocean education business. Before joining the REEF team, she taught middle school science for seven years. Hilary has a M.Ed in Environmental Education and a B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies. She lives in the mountains south of Denver with her husband and two daughters, and her favorite fish is the Cherubfish. Welcome to the team, Hilary!
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
We're a little over a week away from REEF Fest 2021, and if you haven't yet made plans to attend, there is still time to register to join us in Key Largo! REEF Fest will take place October 14-17 and includes ocean seminars and educational workshops, evening social events with food and drink, and opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. Most REEF Fest events are free to attend, but pre-registration is requested. For complete event details and registration, please visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest.
The health and safety of our members, staff, and the local community remains our top priority. We’ve made modifications to the event set up and have taken additional measures to proactively support safety during the event. REEF will be following all CDC guidelines during REEF Fest, and we encourage participants who are eligible to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. Participants are also encouraged to wear face masks when indoors, practice social distancing, and frequently wash and sanitize hands. All REEF Fest events will be held outdoors aside from the seminars, which are hosted in a large, well-ventilated venue. We are continuously monitoring the status of COVID-19 within the region, and will be in communication with all registered participants with additional details about safety measures in place during the event.
For those who are not able to attend in person but still wish to join in, REEF Fest seminars and workshops will be livestreamed on the REEF Facebook page and YouTube channel. The livestream schedule is below.
Thursday, Oct. 14
1:00pm - Fish Identification Class
2:30pm - Invasive Lionfish Collecting & Handling Workshop
Friday, Oct. 15
3:30pm - Conservation Stories from the Field, presented by Drs. Alli Candelmo and Christy Pattengill-Semmens, REEF; Dr. Brice Semmens, Scripps Institution of Oceanography; and Dr. Scott Heppell, Oregon State University
6:00pm - The Heady Hunt for 5000 Fishes, presented by Paul Humann and Ned DeLoach, REEF Co-founders, Marine Life Authors, and Renowned Underwater Photographers, with REEF Board Members Jim Dalle Pazze and Anna DeLoach
Saturday, Oct. 16
2:30pm - Keynote Seminar - The Role of Citizen Science in Monitoring and Protecting our Ocean Biodiversity, presented by Dr. Dan Greenberg, REEF Research Affiliate and Postdoctoral Researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
Looking to plan your next dive trip? Join us on a REEF Field Survey Trip for a week (or longer!) of fish identification, citizen science, diving, and fun with friends. To register, email trips@REEF.org. The following upcoming trips have limited availability remaining:
Gardens of the Queen, Cuba - Dec. 11-18, 2021: Known as one of the best-preserved marine areas in the Caribbean, this unique location is known for its high fish diversity and biomass. A variety of marine habitats including patch reefs, seagrass, and mangroves surround the islands, providing important nursery areas for many juvenile fish species. Large fish such as snapper, grouper and sharks are a frequent sighting for divers in this area as well. Click here for more details.
St. Vincent - Feb. 5-12, 2022: St. Vincent is known as the muck diving capital of the Caribbean, but that doesn't mean the visibility is poor. In fact, the leeward shore of the island typically has visibility up to 100 feet due to the presence of volcanic, granite-based sand that falls quickly when stirred. Surveyors hunting for "bucket list" fish species are in luck; the staff at Dive St. Vincent have a knack for finding small, cryptic species like frogfish, seahorses and more. Click here for more details.
St. Lucia - May 7-14, 2022: Located on St. Lucia's southwestern coast, Anse Chastanet s an environmentally-conscious, luxury resort with plenty of amenities and delicious food, making it a great destination for divers, snorkelers, and non-diving companions. The entire region is a protected marine area and excellent, easily accessible beach diving is available directly in front of the resort. When not diving or snorkeling, guests can enjoy sea kayaking, jungle biking, yoga and sailing. Click here for more details.
Roatan - June 4-11, 2022: Located on a secluded key in Roatan, Honduras, CoCo View Resort is well known among divers for its excellent house reef. Guests will enjoy two daily boat trips and unlimited shore diving at CoCo View’s front yard reef, where more than 300 fish species have been recorded. The resort is also great for non-divers, who may enjoy front yard snorkeling and access to ocean kayaks. Click here for more details.
Palau - June 26-July 6, 2022: This custom 10-night itinerary aboard the Rock Islands Aggressor is planned to coincide with a new moon, allowing us to dive a Bumphead Parrotfish spawning site. Palau's astounding fish life ranges from Reef Mantas visiting cleaning stations, huge schools of unicornfish and jacks, and small, cryptic species like mandarinfish and dartfish. Click here for more details.
Author: Amy Lee, Engagement and Communications Manager
During last month's REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival, twenty teams fished from sunrise to sunset for two days, and ultimately collected 1,215 invasive lionfish. The event concluded on Sunday, Sept. 12 at Postcard Inn Resort & Marina in Islamorada, with an outdoor festival featuring lionfish tastings, cooking and dissection demos, games, interactive booths, and live music.
More than $6,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to teams who brought in the most, largest, and smallest lionfish. The “Most Lionfish” category included the competitive Apex Predators division and the Reef Defenders division for casual lionfish hunters. Team Forever Young led the Apex Predators with a 564 lionfish, a new record for this derby! Team Pain Killer finished second with 265 lionfish, and team Massai Warriors placed third with 142 lionfish. Fourth place went to team Salty Spine Slayer with 18 lionfish. In the Reef Defenders division, team Squid INK won first place with 50 lionfish. Team Good Will Spearfishing brought in 43 lionfish for second place, team Wild Hogs Dive Club took third place with 35 lionfish, and SWC Inc. placed fourth with 22 lionfish.
Competition was extremely close in the largest and smallest lionfish categories. Team Massai Warriors won first place in the “Largest Lionfish” category with a 436 millimeter lionfish, more than 17 inches long. Team Pain Killer’s second place fish measured 421 mm, and team Forever Young took third place with a 404 mm fish. The smallest fish of the derby was 69 mm, harvested by team SWC Inc. Team Gini’s Tonic won second place with a 70 mm fish, and team Wild Hogs Dive Club brought in a 77 mm fish to receive third place. Team Wild Hogs Dive Club also brought in a 77 mm live lionfish to be displayed in an educational exhibit at the REEF Campus. Full results from the 2021 derby are posted online here.
“The annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival demonstrates how our community can actively combat the lionfish invasion and make a difference. Sunday was a stormy day in Islamorada, and we really appreciate all of the vendors, teams, volunteers, and festival attendees who stuck it out in the rain and helped make this year’s lionfish derby a success,” said Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., REEF Conservation Science Manager.
The 2021 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival was made possible thanks to Ocean Reef Conservation Association, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Postcard Inn Resort & Marina, Sharkey’s Sharkbite Grill, Forever Young Charter Company, Triad Foundation and Mesara Foundation. Activities occurred within NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary under permit.
REEF will host the 13th annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival from Sept. 8-11, 2022, with the festival taking place on Sunday, Sept. 11 at Postcard Inn Resort and Marina. For more information about REEF Lionfish Derbies, visit www.REEF.org/lionfish-derbies.
Author: Janna Nichols, Citizen Science Program Manager
Welcome to the Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to acknowledge those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. We are celebrating those who moved up an Experience Level or who achieved the 2021 Super Surveyor Challenge in July, August, or September 2021.
Experience Level Advancements
REEF Experience Levels are a way for divers and snorkelers to measure their fish ID knowledge along with their surveying experience. From beginner to expert, you'll find plenty of resources and friends to help you along the way. Experience Levels 2, 3, 4, or 5 are achieved through submitting a certain number of surveys and passing a fish ID test.
For more info, visit www.REEF.org/experiencelevels.
Let's hear it for these REEF members who have improved their fish ID skills!
[All listed below are Level 2 unless otherwise noted.]
California (CAL)
- Ahteri Forcada-Lowrie
- Angela Poirier
- Caleb Wright
- Jeff Chismar
- Jennifer Simpson
- Kathleen Kephart
- Kelly Bishop
- Kellyn Wilde
- Lauren Dibble
- Liron Mendelsohn
- Lisa Anaya
- Max Arseneault
- Max Arseneault
- Michael Poirier
- Michelle Gentilcore
- Reuven Bank
- Shane Wiese
- Shara Narsipur
- Tom Donahue
Hawaii (HAW)
Pacific Northwest (PNW)
- David Wakeley
- Pieter Booth - Level 3
Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP)
- Alan Stewart
- Cassandra Neal
- Martha Klitzkie
- Susan Fuchs
Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA)
- Cristina Agostini
- Aleah Dyson
- Maila Alexander
- George Alvarez
- Andrea Stromeyer
- Anthony Cappellino
- Bernadine Bates
- Joey Caputo
- Hailey Cooper
- Haley De La Torre
- Coral Depauw
- Quinn Donnelly
- Brooke El-Koury
- Mayara Gadea De Andrade
- Gillian Smoller
- Hillary Weiler
- Nathan Hughes
- Jade McMillan
- Janet Clayton - Levels 2, 3 and 5
- Jesica Eldredge
- Kaylee Hedding
- Kira McGill
- Alexis Kumar
- Lauren Mahoney*
- Lauryn Magno*
- Brian Lesko
- Lex McIntosh
- Andrea Lopez-McNenney
- Maite Smith
- Martin Borman
- Samantha Martinez
- Lorelei Molina
- Dominick Monteagudo
- Nadia McCollister
- Promise Russell
- Raine Towns
- Richard Phillips
- Riley Zoldi - Level 3*
- Olivia Sargent
- Jacob Senecal
- Shaina Michael
- Sierra Barkdoll - Level 3*
- Carlie Stanley, Carlie
- Summer Huber - Level 3*
- Ava Swanson
- Austin Tudor
- Natalie Turner
- Melani Valdes
- Will Ribbens - Level 4
- Steven Wilson
*REEF Intern
Super Surveyor Challenge
Volunteer divers and snorkelers can earn the title of Super Surveyor by conducting and submitting at least 25 REEF surveys during 2021. Below are all 89 people who have completed the challenge so far. For more info, visit www.REEF.org/supersurveyor.
- Peter Leahy
- Cassandra Neal
- Rocio Bunker
- Ron Wolfe
- Ed Gullekson
- Dennis Bensen
- Herb Gruenhagen
- Mona & Gary Wirth
- Kara Curry
- Brad Giles
- Chuck Curry
- Dave Grenda
- Rhoda Green
- Patricia Richardson
- MJ Farr
- Judith Cucco
- Robin Webster
- Alice Ribbens
- Leslie Kopietz
- Joseph Mangiafico
- Marta Zahalak
- Perry Webster
- Karen Bogart
- Connie Bogan
- Kathie Comerford
- Kristi Draper
- Donald McCoy
- Don Gordon
- Frank Krasovec
- Carrie Neal
- William Ribbens
- Marsha Davis
- Eddie Roa
- Doug Harder
- Janet Clayton
- Kat Fenner
- Kreg Martin
- Tabitha Jacobs-Mangiafico
- Lara Webster
- Gail Roberts
- Sierra Barkdoll
- Madalyn Mussey
- Fred Hartner
- Marta Bonatz
- Naomi Wooten
- Jonathan Lavan
- Paul Bonatz
- Tracey Griffin
- Lynn Fulks
- Carol Cline
- Callie Mack
- Jennifer Walker
- John Smajdek
- Nick Brilliande
- Daryl Duda
- Robert Brennan
- Deborah Cacace
- David Ehlert
- Sheryl Shea
- Lillian Kenney
- Stephen Vinitsky
- Tammy Coble
- Ellie Briscoe
- Gregg Cline
- Sara Cowles
- Kim White
- Terry Hillegas
- Pamela Hillegas
- Melissa McMullen
- Laurel Fulton
- Christa Anderson
- Melanie Moreno
- Amy Newfield
- Mary Adams
- Stacey Henderson
- Georgia Arrow
- Jason Feick
- Mike Snow
- Luanne Betz
- David Thompson
- Amy Lee
- Riley Zoldi
- Shaina Michael
- Loralee Byrnes
- Max Arseneault
- Summer Huber
- Annette Felix
- Mimi Hayakawa
- Michael Fausnaugh
Author: The REEF Team
Our October 2021 Fish of the Month is here to get your in the mood for Halloween. Meet the Dracula Shrimpgoby (Stonogobiops dracula)!
Survey Regions: The Dracula Shrimpgoby is resticted to the Western Indian Ocean including the Maldives, part of REEF's Indian Ocean and Red Sea (IORS) survey region. Click here to see the distribution report for this species in the REEF database.
Size: They grow to just under 3 inches.
Identifying Features: They have a white body with dark, blood red bands and a yellow wash on the snout. Larger individuals will also develop thin bands between the thicker ones. They look similar to the Yellownose Shrimpgoby (S. xanthorhinica) found in the Central Indo-Pacific (CIP) and South Pacific (SOP) survey regions.
Fun Facts: Dracula Shrimpgobies live in sand and rubble areas, often in pairs. Like other shrimpgobies, they live symbiotically with a blind shrimp, who helps to excavate and maintain the burrow while the goby watches for danger and finds food. While some shrimpgobies may live with a variety of shrimp species, the Dracula Shrimpgoby is found exclusively with the Red-banded Snapping Shrimp, Alpheus randalli.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
[Photo by Christy Semmens]
