Author: Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director: Science & Engagement
Tropical regions are, in general, more diverse than ecosystems at higher temperate latitudes. A commonly held hypothesis is that the diverse predators in tropical regions cause predation to have a relatively stronger role in shaping communities. Data from the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP) were used by Michele Repetto and colleagues from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute to test for underlying differences in regional fish diversity that could contribute to variation in predation intensity and impact. Their study spanned across the Isthmus of Panama, including two tropical ocean basins. The research team combined field experiments and VFSP data collected by REEF volunteers from both the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) and Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) survey regions. Their findings demonstrated that while the influence of predation is highly variable even within tropical systems, increases in predator diversity due to localized abiotic factors (such as seasonal upwelling) led to an increased influence of predators on their prey base. The study was recently published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
The authors observed striking spatial and seasonal variability in predation impact and intensity on coastal marine invertebrate communities. This variability likely has important consequences for food web dynamics and patterns of species diversity and ecosystem functioning. The Isthmus of Panama offered a unique opportunity to explicitly test factors that influence temporal and spatial variability of predator effects in tropical marine communities. The analysis included data on 115 fish species from 16 families in the TWA and 89 species from 18 families in the TEP. Because the REEF VFSP program occurs worldwide, this citizen science dataset provides a valuable source of information to scientists and researchers from government and academic institutions that is otherwise not available. To see all studies and scientific papers that have included REEF data, visit www.REEF.org/db/publications.
Author: The REEF Team
Exciting news - our annual summer fundraising match is underway! All throughout the month of July, all gifts are doubled, dollar for dollar, up to $70,000! Will you support our citizen science, education, and research programs by making a gift today? You can make a donation securely online at www.REEF.org/donate. You can also donate over the phone by calling (305) 852-0030, or mail your donation to to P.O. Box 370246, Key Largo, FL 33037. Your gift this summer will go twice as far, and help put leading ocean education and conservation work into action. Thank you for supporting heatlthy oceans and helping REEF make a difference!
Author: Amy Lee, Communications Manager
We are excited to welcome Carolyn Corley to the REEF staff team as an Education Coordinator. You may recognize Carolyn, as she served as a REEF Marine Conservation Fellow for Education & Outreach from August 2023 to June 2024. During the summer of 2023, she participated in the REEF Marine Conservation Internship program as the 2023 Dr. Jamie L. King REEF Marine Conservation Intern through Our World Underwater Scholarship Society. Carolyn graduated in May 2023 from the University of San Diego with a B.S. in environmental and ocean sciences on the marine ecology pathway, and minors in biology and environmental studies and policy. While in college, she spent a summer in Utila, Honduras, completing her PADI Divemater certification and researching invasive lionfish and community involvement in invasive species education and removal. As an Education Coordinator, Carolyn will support the growing Ocean Explorers Education Program at the REEF Campus in Key Largo. She will also support college student engagement in the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, as well as provide member services through support of the REEF Store. Outside of REEF, Carolyn serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Florida Keys chapter of Surfrider Foundation. She enjoys competitive swimming, camping, reading, and traveling. Welcome to the staff, Carolyn!
Author: Amy Lee, Communications Manager
We recently opened registration for our annual REEF Fest celebration in Key Largo, FL, and we hope you can join us! There are plenty of exciting activities planned, including diving, snorkeling, kayaking, ocean seminars, socials, and a nature tour. A highlight of the weekend is the Saturday evening celebration, For the Love of the Sea. The event will take place on the evening of Oct. 19, at a beautiful waterfront location overlooking Florida Bay.
Little Moir's Hibiscus strEATery, a popular south Florida restaurant and catering company, has put together a serving a tasty variety of dishes for the evening, including appetizers like veggies, falafel, and tacos, plus several fresh salad choices. There will be a variety of dinner stations serving delicious entrees including sweet potato crusted avocado and portabello, homemade cheesy garlic pasta aka "grown up mac and cheese", Caribbean jerk chicken wraps, and a salsa verde veggie bowl with coconut rice, black beans, and plantains.
For the Love of the Sea tickets are $95 per person and include appetizers, dinner, desserts, and an open bar with local craft beer from Florida Keys Brewing Company, wine, liquor and a selection of non-alcoholic beverages. There will also be a silent auction featuring marine life artwork and photography, jewelry, dive vacation packages, and more. You don't want to miss this fun evening with fellow ocean lovers! Be sure to purchase your ticket soon because prices increase after Sept. 27! You can get your ticket when you register online for REEF Fest. For more info about REEF Fest or to register, visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest.
Author: Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., Director of Conservation Science
We're gearing up to host the 15th annual REEF 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 help to develop a consumer market for invasive lionfish.
Derby team registration is open, and teams of two to four people may register online to compete in the derby. Registration is $120 per team. 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.
Teams may hunt lionfish from sunrise to sunset on August 16 and 17. We're partnering with our friends at Florida Keys Brewing Company to host Invaders on Tap, a lionfish awareness celebration! Join us at the brewery in Islamorada from 4-9pm on August 17 for activities, vendors, food, live music, and fun for the whole family. On Sunday, August 18, all are invited to join us for lionfish scoring, awards ceremony, 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.
This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, including Ocean Reef Conservation Association, Mesara Foundation, and Florida Keys Brewing Company, with advertising support from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Thank you to all sponsors for supporting the REEF Invasive Species Program!
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 Dana Kowalsick, a REEF member who lives in Bonaire. She is a Level 5 Surveyor in the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) survey region, where she has conducted more than 100 REEF surveys! In addition, last year she was one of the most active surveyors in the TWA region! We are proud to feature Dana this month and are thankful that she 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 became a Fish ID diver during a conservation program I participated in when I was living in Utila, Honduras back in 2022. The program included multiple certification courses that culminated in survey dives to collect data on fish, coral health, invertebrates, substrate etc. That is when I first started doing fish surveys for REEF!
What inspires you to complete REEF surveys? What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned doing a REEF fish survey?
I love to learn so I enjoy surveying so I can be more attentive to the environment when I’m diving and notice new fish, or new fish behavior. I also enjoy knowing that the data we collect helps make a difference to understand what’s going on in our oceans.
Do you dive close to where you live, and if so, what is the best part about diving there?
I am a dive instructor living in Bonaire so I have the privilege of diving almost every day in the shore diving capital of the world! The best part is that we have so many dive sites and they are easy to access any time we want. Even on my weekends, I go on dives with friends and complete fish surveys for fun.
What is the most fascinating fish encounter you’ve experienced?
I was doing a REEF survey at one of the most southern dive sites on Bonaire with a friend and out of the deep, a beautiful Oceanic Manta Ray came swimming right up to us, hung out for a little bit and then swam off. First time I had ever seen one and it is quite rare to see here in Bonaire!
What is your favorite fish or marine invertebrate? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite marine creature is the sea turtle. I had the privilege of living in the Maldives and working with an NGO to rehabilitate sea turtles in 2019 so I have a special connection to these incredible creatures. As for fish, I love trunkfish. I particularly love finding the juvenile “sea peas”! And any type of hamlet. Honestly, it’s hard to choose!
Do you have any surveying, fishwatching, or identification tips for REEF members?
What helped me was watching the archived Fishinars on REEF’s website when I was prepping for the Level 5 TWA exam. Go out and survey as much as you can. Focus on the fish you know at first and then add one or two you don’t know each time! And if you have awesome friends like me, they’ll help create fish quizzes for you!
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.
Into the Blue Book Club Meeting
Thursday, July 18, 8pm ET
Click here to register.
REEF Into the Blue Book Club brings together readers who love the ocean. At this meeting, we will discuss our latest book selection, Why Sharks Matter: A Deep Dive with the World's Most Misunderstood Predator by David Shiffman. Everyone is invited to join, and reading the book is not a requirement for attending the meeting.
Fishinar: Common Fishes of the Mediterranean
Wednesday, July 31, 8pm ET
Click here to register.
The Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (EAM) survey region holds plenty of surprises for fish watchers. Join us for one of the first Fishinars focused on this region.
European Parrotfish photo by Carol Cox.
Author: Stacey Henderson, Field Survey Trips Program Manager
We have just added two new exciting destinations to our 2025 REEF Field Survey Trip schedule! Check out the info below for details.
Nevis – May 17-24, 2025
The charming Caribbean island of Nevis is separated from its sister island, St. Kitts, by a two-mile stretch of water known as the Narrows, home to interesting marine life like barracudas, eagle rays, and other fish. The picturesque topside scenery of this quaint Caribbean Island makes this the ideal destination for both divers and non-divers to enjoy. Oualie Beach Resort is a family-owned hotel located right on the beach, and the gingerbread-style cottages reflect the traditional Caribbean architecture. More information here.
El Hierro, Canary Islands – August 16-23, 2025
El Hierro is the smallest of the Canary Islands and is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its proximity to the open ocean means that sightings of Bryde’s whales, angel sharks, frogfish, manta rays, and sand tiger sharks are all possible! The island of El Hierro is the perfect place for a quiet, relaxing vacation of fish counting. More information here.
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 on either of these trips or check out other upcoming trips with open space below. To book your space on a REEF Trip, email trips@REEF.org. We hope to "sea" you underwater soon!
Tobago: July 27-August 3 -- More information here.
Malta: August 24-31 -- More information here.
Maldives: Jan. 12-22, 2025 -- More information here.
Belize: Feb. 15-22, 2025 -- More information here.
Guanaja: March 22-29, 2025 -- More information here.
Nevis: May 17-24, 2025 -- More information here.
Canary Islands: August 16-23, 2025 -- More information here.
Author: Janna Nichols, Citizen Science Program Manager
Welcome to the Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to celebrate those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Here are achievements from April, May, and June, 2024.
Juvenile Hamlet Award
The Juvenile Hamlet Award is for individuals who have conducted 500+ REEF surveys. Congratulations to our latest Juvenile Hamlet Club members:
- Sue Langston
- Mary Adams
- Robert Brennan
- Deborah Cacace
Read more about the Juvenile Hamlet award and others who have achieved it.
Experience Level Advancements
REEF Experience Levels are a way for divers and snorkelers to measure their fish ID knowledge along with their surveying experience. Experience Levels are achieved by 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 advanced an Experience Level!
All listed below are Level 2 unless otherwise noted.
California (CAL)
Lauren Anderson
Central Indo Pacific (CIP)
Kris Karlen - Level 5
Michaela Peterson - Levels 3 and 5
Will Ribbens - Level 5
Fred Hartner - Level 4
Kathy Doane - Level 4
Vicki Dixon - Level 3
Hal Peterson
Kristi Draper
Linda Bilsing
Peter Hillenbrand
Hawaii (HAW)
Donna Goodale - Levels 3 and 5
Cathie Becker - Level 3
South Pacific (SOP)
Joni Sensel - Level 3
Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA)
Olivia Bidinot - Levels 3 and 5
Bradley Noone - Level 3
Jet Long - Level 3
Abbey Gooding
Alice Cottrell-Steen
Alisa Slawinski
Allie Howard
Amanda Ellis
Ashley Smiley
Autumn Steltenpohl
Auz VanBuskirk
Ava Blohowiak
Carolyn Gara-Boivin
Dominick Springstube
Dylan Hemedinger
Ellen Malone
Elly Trepanier
Emily Juergens
Enrique Zamudio-Jimenez
Ethan Anderson
Evi Kaasik
Gianna Dib
Haley Siculan
Hannah Handschack
Holly Thelin
Ivie Henslee
Jacob Beretta
Jadyn Camp
Jake Roberson
Jason Lees
Jenna Caputa
Jenny Trinh
Jessica Tappeiner
Jill Kuehnert
Jody Bryan
Joelle Garand
John Alcott
Jolie Ganzell
Karisma Khara
Kelly Diep
Kelsey Thomas
Kira Wendel
Lauren Gassen
Lindsay Cavaliere
Lucy Wiedmar
Mackenzie Romeo
Mackinzey Whittlesey
Madeline Casey
Maria Breve
Marie Black
Marie-Christine Lessard
Maryse Marceau-Grimard
Matt Downing
Maya Marchese
Mead Krowka
Molly O'Neil
Natalie Weier
Peighton Connor
Persia Sanchez
Rebecca DiPietro
Riley Durasoff
Ruby Dykstra
Ryan Rathavongsa
Sandrine Beaumont Courteau
Sarah Flowers
Savannah Bonnett
Sebastian Berenguer
Shelby Robertson
Skye Bradley
Sofia Arias
Stefany Valle Moura
Susannah Webster
Sydnie Hall
Ted Jones
Tom Wakeling
Victoria Barnett
Author: The REEF Team
Our July Fish of the Month is the European Parrotfish, Sparisoma cretense!
Survey Regions: European Parrotfish are found in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (EAM) survey region, including the eastern Atlantic Ocean, including Portugal, Azores and Madeira Islands, south to the Canary Islands and Senegal, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Click here to view a REEF distribution report for this species.
Size: They can grow to be about 20 inches/50 cm in length.
Identifying Features: Female European Parrotfish (pictured) are more colorful than males. They are bright red to brownish, with a large gray blotch on the front half of their body. They also have a yellow saddle on their tail base. Meanwhile, males are mostly gray and have a dark area behind their pectoral fin.
Fun Facts: European Parrotfish live in shallow areas with rocky, algae-covered bottoms. They feed on algae and small invertebrates. This species prefers warm water and has been observed expanding their range north throughout in the Mediterranean, possibly as a result of warming ocean temperatures. Want to learn more about the European Parrotfish? Tune in to our upcoming "Common Fishes of the Mediterranean" Fishinar on July 31. Visit www.REEF.org/fishinars or check out the online programs article in this issue for more details!
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Christy Semmens.
