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REEF-in-Brief September 2010
REEF-in-Brief September 2010
Introduction
By Paul Humann, REEF Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board
Greetings!
While fall used to be a slower time here at REEF, this year we are busier than ever. In addition to working with scientists to get them up-to-date species data and continuing to coordinate and expand the citizen science Fish Survey Project to new regions, the REEF staff is involved in a variety of marine conservation issues including the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean and associated waters and endangered species spawning aggregation research. This issue of REEF-in-Brief features updates from several of these programs.
None of this critically important work would be possible without continued financial contributions from our members. We greatly appreciate your support and commitment to our efforts, and hope you enjoy this issue. If you are inspired by what you see here, please consider donating online through our secure online form here — https://www.reef.org/contribute
Best “Fishes”
In this Edition
- REEF Launches Long Awaited South Pacific Survey Program!
- Members Learn About Coral Conservation and See Rare Sights on Key Largo Field Survey
- More Than 500 Lionfish Removed in Florida Keys Inaugural Lionfish Tournament
- Neon Goby Split Into Two Species
- Marine Conservation Internship Program Is Back
- REEF Organizes Regional Lionfish Strategy Workshop
- Creature Book Auction Raises Money For REEF
- News Tidbits
REEF Launches Long Awaited South Pacific Survey Program!
By Heather George, REEF Board of Trustees
| Last month, the launch of our 6th REEF survey region was a big success due to the combined efforts of our newest partners in American Samoa, and numerous volunteers and partners in the scientific community. Thanks to support from NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program and other donors, we were able to bring fish ID training workshops and surveying opportunities to over two dozen local participants on the main island of Tutuila. The launch included distributing locally oriented underwater fish ID cards, underwater paper, and a number of Tropical Pacific Fish ID books to an enthusiastic group of local residents. Through meetings and trainings with staff at the Fagatelle Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, the National Park Service… |
 REEF’s newest region — the South Pacific!
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Members Learn About Coral Conservation and See Rare Sights on Key Largo Field Survey
By Anna DeLoach, REEF Board of Trustees
| REEF Field Surveys offer a great introduction to fish identification for novice fishwatchers, and are a fun way for experienced surveyors to build their life list while interacting with fellow fishwatchers. The recent trip to Key Largo was no exception. REEF surveyors gathered in late August at Amoray Dive Resort for the Key Largo Field Survey and Coral Conservation trip. The trip was scheduled around the annual coral spawning that usually occurs in the Keys after the full moon of August. Amy Slate, owner of Amoray, organized a great week of activities, including presentations by Lauri MacLaughlin, from the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and Ken Nedimyer, founder of the Coral Restoration Foundation. A 3-minute highlite video is posted on YouTube…. |
 REEF members joined REEF co-founders and board members, Ned and Anna DeLoach for a great week in Key Largo.
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More Than 500 Lionfish Removed in Florida Keys Inaugural Lionfish Tournament
By Alecia Adamson, REEF Field Operations Coordinator and Karrie Carnes, FKNMS Staff
| Approximately 100 divers collected 534 Indo-Pacific red lionfish during the first tournament dedicated to reducing the population of the invasive species in the Florida Keys waters. The September 11 tournament in Key Largo, organized by REEF and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, is the first of three Keys-based lionfish roundups. The event attracted 27 teams that competed for cash and prizes to collect the most, largest and smallest lionfish. The winning team captured 111 lionfish during the single day event. The largest lionfish caught measured in at just under 11 inches, and the smallest at less than two inches. Lionfish can grow to lengths of over 18 inches in western Atlantic waters, where they are not native… |
 The one-day catch of invasive lionfish around Key Largo by a team as part of the lionfish derby. Photo by Carlos Estape.
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Neon Goby Split Into Two Species
By Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Director of Science
| Attention Tropical Western Atlantic fishwatchers — the Neon Goby has been split into two species. The original Neon Goby, Elactinus oceanops, retains the common name and is geographically known only from South Florida, and the Flower Gardens and Alacran reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. This goby can be distinguished by the bright neon stripe from snout to tail. The Caribbean Neon Goby (new common name), Elactinus lobeli, is so far known only from Belize and Honduras including off shore islands. The Caribbean Neon Goby can be distinguished by pale bluish to gray borders on the bright blue neon stripes from snout to tail. We are in the process of reassigning records in the REEF database of Neon Goby (E. oceanops) from Belize and Honduras to the new species… |
 Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops) is found in South Florida and the Flower Gardens and Alacran reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo by Paul Humann.
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Marine Conservation Internship Program Is Back
By Alecia Adamson, REEF Field Operations Coordinator
| REEF is excited to announce the revival of the Marine Conservation Internship Program at REEF Headquarters in Key Largo, Florida. The internship program was an important part of REEF’s early history, with many past interns going on to have great careers in the field. Some have even spent time as REEF staff. The program was temporarily suspended a few years ago due to a lack of infrastructure. Thankfully, we have been able to bring the program back, providing significant benefits to both REEF and those who complete the program. Alecia Adamson, REEF Field Operations and Outreach Coordinator (and past REEF intern herself!), is in charge of overseeing the internship program and is pleased that REEF is once again able to offer the opportunity to college students and recent graduates…. |
 Fall 2010 REEF Interns, Nicole and Stephanie, after a survey dive.
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REEF Organizes Regional Lionfish Strategy Workshop
By Lad Akins, REEF Director of Operations
| As the spread and impact of the invasive Indo-Pacific red lionfish explodes in the western Atlantic region, REEF continues to take a lead in addressing this complex environmental issue. In addition to extensive outreach and education efforts, REEF staff is involved in several field research projects to study the ecological impact of this voracious predator. REEF is also coordinating regional response efforts. In partnership with the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), NOAA, Mexico and France, REEF helped fund and organize the first Regional Lionfish Strategy Workshop in August. The two-day workshop brought together more than 40 key Marine Protected Area and fisheries managers from 17 countries and territories in the Caribbean to discuss control strategies, … |
 Lionfish populations in the Florida Keys, like many other places in the region, have rapidly increased over the last 12 months. Photo by Matt Hoelscher.
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Creature Book Auction Raises Money For REEF
By REEF Staff
| Earlier this month, REEF auctioned five pre-release, signed and numbered copies of the Tropical Pacific edition of Reef Creature Identification by Paul Humann and Ned DeLoach. The authors donated to REEF the first five pre-release copies of this spectacular book, which is set to be released in mid-November. The long-awaited, 500-page reference detailing 1,600 animals with 2,000 photographs and descriptive text is not only the most comprehensive visual field guide to marine invertebrate life inhabiting the waters from Thailand to Tahiti, but also a pictorial tour de force skillfully bridging science and the aesthetic. Copies #1 – #5 were auctioned off through Missionfish in eBay. In total, $1,735 was raised in the auction. These funds will go directly to support REEF … |
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News Tidbits
By REEF Staff
| Lionfish Derby T-Shirt Available Through REEF Store – The special edition Florida Keys Lionfish Derby T-shirts are available through the store while supplies last. Check out the REEF Store today for REEF gear, survey supplies, books, and more.New REEF Field Stations – This past month, we welcomed the following to our growing list of Field Stations. They join over 200 Field Stations and Independent Instructors worldwide.
– Diver’s Dream Charters – LuJac’s Quest, Anacortes WA – Maui Fish Identification Network – Kihei HI Fish & Friends Monthly Speaker Series – Every month, … |
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See You Next Month!
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Written by lars2923
PADI MSDT - I've been a diver for over 33 years. I became an instructor because I want to be creditable and able to transfer my knowledge and skills to newer divers. Beside, it cuts down on the expense of diving. NOT! My Motto: First in, Last out
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