Author: The REEF Team
With heavy hearts, we share the news that REEF Co-Founder Paul Humann passed away on February 5, 2024. Paul was a passionate advocate for the oceans, a visionary scuba diver, and pioneering underwater photographer. His enthusiasm for the underwater world touched countless lives, and his dedication was a driving force in advancing the dive industry, ocean citizen science, and natural history.
Paul’s pathway to establishing REEF began in 1971, when he left a successful law career in Kansas to own and operate the Caribbean’s first liveaboard dive boat, the Cayman Diver. For the next nine years, as captain of the vessel, he amassed a notable collection of fish and invertebrate images, many taken in their natural habitat for the first time. Soon Paul, in collaboration with marine taxonomists from the Smithsonian, Philadelphia Academy of Sciences, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and the California Academy of Sciences, began collecting specimens to help document identifications. These early efforts lay the groundwork for his enduring collaboration with the scientific community.
In the 1980s, Paul and co-author Ned DeLoach began assembling their first marine life field guide, Reef Fish Identification—Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. They were surprised by the lack of comprehensive species distribution information. This realization led to the idea of establishing an organization, powered by trained volunteer divers and snorkelers, to help much-needed data about ocean life. Paul and Ned co-founded REEF in 1990. Through the years, Paul often talked about how proud he was of REEF’s success and impact on marine conservation. His incredible legacy continues through his books and photography, through REEF, and in the lives of everyone he so deeply influenced.
To commemorate and celebrate Paul, REEF and his loved ones have created a memorial webpage. Click here to see photos and read more about Paul’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Paul’s honor may be directed to REEF. Paul will be very missed, and we are honored to be able to carry forward his legacy. On behalf of the REEF staff and Board of Trustees, please join us in remembering Paul’s spirit and passion, and honoring the tremendous impact he has had on ocean conservation.
Author: The REEF Team
You may have seen via email or on social media that the REEF logo has a new look! We are so excited to share this new logo with the REEF community. The new logo represents REEF's unique role in conservation. The vibrant blue hues and sun rays streaming through the water inspire feelings of hope, and the fish symbolizes our shared love of ocean life and the transformative impact of citizen science.
REEF was founded in 1990, with a vision of helping scuba divers make a difference in marine conservation, and the original red dive flag logo helped launch our cornerstone citizen science program, the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Since then, the organization has grown from a small group of trailblazing divers into a global community of people supporting ocean conservation and education in diverse ways, on land and in the water. Conserving and protecting our ocean depends on empowering people to take action, and the new logo will support this mission as we continue to engage individuals and communities worldwide.
REEF’s red dive flag logo has been a part of our identity since the beginning. While we’re no longer using this icon to represent REEF comprehensively, you will continue to see it used in connection with some programs. Although the REEF logo looks different, our programs and activities - and our marine conservation mission - remain the same.
In the coming weeks, you'll see the new logo across our website, social media, emails, and other communications. Thank you for being part of REEF! We hope you are as excited as we are about REEF's new look.
Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
REEF recently concluded the annual field season for the Grouper Moon Project, a highly successful conservation science collaboration between REEF and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DOE) to study one of the largest and last known spawning aggregations of endangered Nassau Grouper in the Caribbean. The research team, made up of REEF staff and volunteers, along with our collaborators from DOE, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Oregon State University, conducted daily dives on the aggregation off the west end of Little Cayman, and visited the an active aggregation on Cayman Brac. The team documented the number and size of fish gathered at the aggregation using a variety of methods, including stereo-video, tag counts, and video pans. The team has also developed a novel project called "GrouperSpotter" which uses facial recognition and AI to document individual fishes that visit the aggregation each year. To connect Caymanian students with the project, our education team hosted live-from-the-field webchats with local classrooms, and including a virtual dive with our scientists. These livefeed chats are archived and available for viewing on the REEF YouTube channel. The education program has been in place for more than 10 years and has become a crowning achievement of the project. You can read more about the Grouper Education Program later in this issue. Visit www.REEF.org/groupermoonproject to see links to videos and photos, and to read about the scientific publications and legislative actions that have been informed by this work.
Preliminary modeling results suggest that the aggregation is approaching 9,000 Nassau Grouper, which is a fourfold increase since 2010. This year, the Nassau Grouper spawned nightly for four nights, starting three nights after the January full moon. The fish stay at the aggregation site for about 10 days before migrating back to their home sites around the island. Because this is the only time of year these fish reproduce, protecting the spawning aggregation from harvest is critical. Research findings from the Grouper Moon Project supported science-based legislation passed by the Cayman Islands government in 2016 that prohibits fishing for Nassau Grouper during the spawning season, and the Cayman Grouper Conservation Law serves as a blueprint for other conservation efforts in the region.
The Grouper Moon Project has been underway since 2002. Funding is provided by REEF members and several foundations, and many dedicated volunteers have assisted with fieldwork through the years. Generous logistical and financial support is provided every year by Caymanian businesses and locals, including Peter Hillenbrand, Southern Cross Club, Little Cayman Beach Resort, Reef Divers, and Jason Belport. We also appreciate continued support from Berkley White and Backscatter Photo and Video, and Marissa Wiganowske and Pegasus Thuster DPV for field assistance. Ocean Technology Systems and Backscatter provided discounted gear and expertise for a new underwater communication system used for the educational livestreams. REEF greatly appreciates Grouper Moon team member Tom Sparke for helping build the new communication system and for serving as the camera operator during this year's livesteamed dives. Funding for the new communication equipment was provided by the Cayman Islands government.
Author: The REEF Team
This month, we welcomed Mead Krówka to the REEF team as Education Coordinator. Mead is based at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, Florida. As Education Coordinator, Mead will support and conduct REEF Ocean Explorers Programs, and coordinate community education programs such as workshops, seminars, and other outreach and tabling events.
Mead grew up in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, where he spent countless hours hiking, backpacking, and falling in love with the outdoors. He obtained his scuba certification at age 13 and has conducted hundred dives around the world. He is currently a PADI Divemaster Candidate. In May 2021, Mead graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) with degrees in environmental science and biological anthropology. His time at UNCW led to volunteer work with the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees and the Surfrider Foundation, as well as a research publication in the American Association for Biological Anthropology. Prior to coming to joining the REEF team, Mead was a Program Coordinator for residential marine science summer programs through Sea Turtle Camp and WB Surf Camp, where he developed educational curricula and taught marine science classes including fish identification and salt marsh ecology. In his free time, Mead enjoys traveling, reading, diving, surfing, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. Mead is excited to join the REEF team and share his passion for education and conservation - and we are very excited to have him! Welcome to the REEF team, Mead!
Author: Hilary Penner, Education Manager: Program Development
Classrooms and students throughout the Cayman Islands have dived into conservation by taking part in this year's Grouper Moon Project! While the Nassau Grouper were spawning during the January full moon, REEF and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment partnered to host three livesteam sessions as an opportunity for students to interact with Grouper Moon Project researchers, learn about pathways to becoming marine scientist, and share the importance of collaboration to protect endangered Nassau Grouper. This year marked highest livestream participation rate to date, with more than 12 classrooms tuning in. Students observed researchers conducting a dive on Little Cayman's Bloody Bay Wall, and even asked questions while the scientists were underwater!
In the months leading up to the field season, REEF Grouper Moon Educator Todd Bohannon made several visits to Caymanian schools to share lessons and connect with local teachers to help them prepare for the livestreams. Shortly before the Nassau Grouper began spawning, Cindy Shaw, author and illustrator of the young adult book Grouper Moon, visited several Year 4 classrooms on Grand Cayman and Little Cayman to teach students about scientific illustration and Nassau Grouper. The students loved participating in the workshops and learning how to draw this iconic species.
We are very thankful to Backscatter Underwater Photo and Video, Ocean Technology Services, and Tom Sparke for the significant support and technical expertise that helped make the livestreams a success. Special thanks to the Cayman Islands schools participating in Grouper Moon Education 2024, including Cayman Int'l School (primary and secondary schools), Cayman Prep Primary, Cayman Prep HS, John Grey HS, West End Primary, Island Primary, Spot Bay Primary, Red Bay Primary, and Prospect Primary. We look forward to "seeing" everyone underwater again during the Grouper Moon Project 2025!
Author: Hilary Penner, Education Manager: Program Development
REEF is proud to partner with educational institutions, dive operators and club, and conservation-focused groups all around the globe to engage individuals in ocean conservation, education and citizen science. REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program staff work with groups to implement the Volunteer Fish Survey Project into their existing curriculums and courses. This month, we are pleased to highlight two partners who recently incorporated REEF lessons and materials into their programming.
Ecology Project International (EPI) is an immersive, experiential science education camp for students and educators with locations around the world. Last spring, REEF virtually trained EPI instructors in Baja, Mexico, in REEF survey methods. After the training, EPI instructors taught the high school aged campers and their teachers. EPI Program Coordinator Adriana Martinez said, "We were able to have training for our staff, and show students how to take data in the field. Students and teachers loved to participate in snorkeling, ID species, and taking each these data! We're very grateful for the help that REEF has given us! We hope to have more people joining the fish ID protocol soon!”
Students in the biological marine science course at John Abbott College spent a week in Roatan, Honduras, conducting fieldwork under the leadership of Drs. Chris Levesque, JP Parkhill, and Patricia Foam. Dr. Levesque shared, “These projects allow students to contribute meaningful work. Each student is asked to conduct at least two surveys during the week. They are expected to learn to recognize 150 species of fish prior to beginning the field work, so they take the surveys very seriously. Some students do the surveys while diving, others while snorkeling. We find that the REEF protocol is easy to adopt for the students. The protocol is simple, so they are not distracted by the technicalities. They just engage in a quest to find as many species as possible. There is no doubt that they love doing the surveys. We can hear them underwater when they get excited about seeing a species for the first time. Back on the boat, they compare notes and go over photos that they took, trying to confirm the ID. As a teacher, when you see this level of engagement and excitement in accomplishing a task, you know you’re doing something right.”
Reflecting on their experience, student Zoë Stephan said, "Snorkeling in the world's second largest barrier reef was a life changing experience. Being involved in REEF fish surveys allowed me to understand what I was seeing and what kind of ecosystem I was swimming in. I feel proud to have contributed to a REEF survey which plays a pivotal role in understanding and conserving marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. I am glad to have helped provide wdata for the biodiversity of the Caribbean's coral reefs, hence I feel as though I owe my debts to the threatened coral reefs." If you are interested in partnering with REEF to promote marine conservation and education, visit www.REEF.org/explorers to learn more.
Author: The REEF Team
REEF programs use citizen science, research, and education to engage peope in marine conservation. REEF members like you are an essential part of our work, and we are so thankful for the generosity of all who have contributed to REEF this winter. Your support helped us kick of 2024 on a strong note! If you have not yet made a gift this winter, will you consider making a donation now to support our ocean conservation mission? You can visit www.REEF.org/donate to contribute securely online.
There's still time get this year's limited edition print of a pair of Pennant Butterflyfish, photographed in Fiji by REEF Co-Founder Paul Humann. Donate $250 or more before the end of the month, and we’ll send you a copy of this 11"x14" signed and numbered print to hang in your home. Each winter since 1996, Paul has selected a print from his personal library to share with our generous donors. Going forward, we will continue this tradition in Paul's memory, working in consultation with Ned and Anna DeLoach to choose one of Paul's photos as a gift for our supporters each winter. If you have already given to REEF, please know that we are very thankful! Your support is what makes our marine conservation work possible.
Author: Janna Nichols, REEF Citizen Science Program Manager
The Golden Hamlet Club is a highly dedicated group of surveyors who have conducted 1,000 or more REEF surveys as part of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. We are filled with fishy delight to welcome Todd Cliff to the Golden Hamlet Club! Todd started surveying in 2002 in Washington state. He has conducted surveys in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii regions, and has reached Expert Level status in both! Most of Todd's REEF surveys have been conducted in cold water, so to acknowledge this, we presented him with a "Golden Lumpsucker Award," named for the cute and elusive Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker! Some of Todd's favorite fishes include the Monkeyface Prickleback and the Lagoon Triggerfish. His goals for the future include helping to raise awareness of REEF and to teach and mentor others who are interested in marine life and diving. Congratulations Todd, and welcome to the Golden Hamlet Club! Click here to read more about Todd's surveying journey, and here to learn more about the Golden Hamlet Club.
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. This spring, we're headed to the stunning Caribbean island of St. Lucia for a week of fish surveys and fun! We'll stay at Anse Chastanet Resort and take in beautiful views of both the ocean and the mountains while enjoying daily dives with Scuba St. Lucia. The entire region is a protected marine area and excellent, easily accessible beach diving is available directly in front of the resort. Anse Chastanet is an environmentally-conscious, luxury resort with plenty of amenities, delicious food, and activities like sea kayaking, jungle biking, and yoga, making this a great destination for divers, snorkelers, and non-diving companions. 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:
Galapagos: March 17-24 -- More information here.
Utila: April 6-13 -- More information here.
Indonesia - Misool, Ring of Fire, Alor: April 12-24 -- More information here.
St. Lucia: May 4-11 -- 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.
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 and other online programs here.
Fishinar: Common Fishes of the Galapagos
Tuesday, February 20, 8pm EST
Click here to register.
The Galapagos Islands are known for their biodiversity, endemic species, and large pelagic fish. Join us to learn about some of the most commonly seen species there.
Fishinar: Strange Fishes of the Pacific Northwest
Tuesday, March 19 8pm EDT
Click here to register.
Poachers, snailfish, lumpsuckers... join us to learn about some of the weird fish who call the Pacific Northwest home.
King Angelfish photo by Carol Cox.
Author: The REEF Team
Our February Fish of the Month is the Hawaiian (Green) Lionfish, Dendrochirus barberi!
Survey Regions: Hawaiian Lionfish are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, meaning this is the only place in the world they are found! Click here to view the REEF database report for this species in the HAW survey region.
Size: They grow to a maximum length of 6.5 inches.
Identifying Features: Hawaiian (Green) Lionfish have greenish or reddish brown bodies and red eyes. They are relatively drab in color, and their fan-like pectoral fins lack extended spines like that of the Hawaiian Red Lionfish.
Fun Facts: During the day, Hawaiian (Green) Lionfish like to rest between branches of antler coral. At night, they hunt in the open for crustaceans and fish. Like other lionfish species, they have venomous spines.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photos by Jim Spears.
