Divetalking » Reefs, Reference, Report » Making it count – November 2011
Making it count – November 2011
Making It Count – November 2011
GIVE THANKS TO OUR OCEANS BY DONATING TO REEF
By Paul Humann, REEF Co-Founder
| I am excited to announce the launch of our Winter Fundraising Campaign. During this holiday season, please consider a contribution to protect and conserve our marine ecosystems. Donate today using our secure online form, call REEF HQ at 305-852-0030, or mail in your donation to REEF, PO Box 246, Key Largo, FL 33037. Members who donate $250 or more will receive a limited, signed, and numbered print of a beautiful Peppermint Basslet.
This year, we give thanks to all our supporters and donors who have made REEF’s programs in 2011 successful. Your donation supports a database of over 154,000 fish and invertebrate surveys, marine conservation research, Nassau Grouper and Goliath Grouper protections, lionfish invasion control, educational outreach, and a whole lot more. Please give thanks this month to our oceans! They cover 70 percent of this planet, are home to millions of magnificent species, and contain important resources that we all depend on. We appreciate your ongoing dedication to our marine conservation initiatives and wish you a happy holiday season. |
Members who donate $250 or more will receive this limited, signed, and numbered print of a beautiful Peppermint Basslet.
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The Faces of REEF: Member Spotlight, Kenny Tidwell
By Sasha Medlen, REEF Membership Coordinator
| REEF members are at the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Over 43,000 divers, snorkelers, students, and armchair naturalists stand behind our mission.This month we feature Kenny Tidwell (REEF member since 1998). Kenny is a member of REEF’s Advanced Assessment Team in the Tropical Western Atlantic and has conducted 291 surveys. Here’s what Kenny had to say about REEF:
When and how did you first volunteer with REEF or become a REEF member? I had been scuba diving for many years and after several hundred dives, I was honestly getting a little bored with what seemed to me as basically the same stuff on every dive. Little did I know I had been blindly swimming by some pretty amazing stuff that I didn’t even realize was there! I was lucky enough to take a dive trip to Bonaire in 1993 where I first met Jerry Ligon who is a naturalist in the area and inspired me to become a fish watcher! I immediately bought Paul Humann’s Caribbean fish ID book and made it my mission to learn something new on every dive. Around that same time, I started reading about REEF in dive magazines and liked what I saw about the organization’s mission and activities. I had long wanted to go on one of their field survey trips and finally signed up… |
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Outstanding in their Field: Featured REEF Field Station, Aqua Safari
By Alecia Adamson, REEF Field Operations Coordinator
| REEF is proud to partner with over 130 dive shops, dive clubs, individuals, and other organizations as REEF Field Stations.Our outstanding Field Station this month is Aqua Safari in Cozumel. Aqua Safari has supported REEF since 2001. At that time, long-time REEF member and Cozumel local, Sheryl Shea, took the lead in promoting the Fish Survey program through teaching fish ID to both Aqua Safari staff and customers. That year, Aqua Safari hosted the first Cozumel Field Survey trip, with REEF surveyors and marine park staff submitting over 200 surveys in just a week! Today, REEF’s database holds data for over 400 species and over 6,000 surveys from Cozumel. Aqua Safari currently offers several fish ID courses to the general public: A “dry” introduction to Fish ID for snorkelers and divers; the REEF Level 2 course; and Advanced Fishes. … |
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Lionfish Derbies in the Florida Keys Removes Over 1,000 of the Invasive Fish
By Lad Akins, REEF Director of Special Projects
| Divers and snorkelers removed 1,518 invasive lionfish from Florida Keys waters during three Lionfish Derby events in 2011. Organized by REEF in partnership with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby series began in 2010 to engage local communities in addressing the invasive lionfish issue. Goals of the lionfish derby series include raising awareness, educating collectors in safe collecting and handling procedures, providing samples for research, conducting lionfish cooking demonstrations and tastings for the general public, and encouraging ongoing removal efforts throughout the region. Teams of registered divers competed for cash and prizes in the categories of most, largest, and smallest lionfish. Dive teams traveled from as far as Chicago, IL.; Austin, TX; and Sunapee, NH to compete in the derbies. Participants and attendees observed filleting demonstrations and enjoyed tastings of lionfish caught during the event. Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey, Salisbury University, University of Florida, Loyola University, international researchers from the UK, the State of Florida, and NOAA all utilized samples and data from the derbies to aid in their lionfish research. Growing populations of lionfish off the southeast U.S., Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico are impacting native marine life commercially, recreationally, and ecologically important species. Derbies are just one of several strategies being employed to help control the lionfish invasion. Thanks to derby sponsors, including Ocean Reef Conservation Association, City of Layton, Divers Direct, Dive Key West, Spree Expeditions, Markey Marine Services, and The Weekly Newspapers. Visit http://www.REEF.org/lionfish/derbies for derby results and updates on future derbies. Visit the REEF Lionfish webpage to find out more about REEF’s Lionfish program. |
Jen Russell shows off her catch, which netted the largest lionfish award in the Key West derby this year.
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Take a Dive Trip That Counts in 2012
By REEF Staff
| Are you ready to take a dive trip that counts? If you are looking to spend a week in a wonderful destination, learning and exploring with a group of fun and like-minded divers and snorkelers, then don’t miss out on a REEF Trip. Now is the time to book your 2012 Field Survey with one of REEF’s expert guides. We have an exciting lineup planned. Trips are starting to fill up (some are already sold out), so don’t delay. Get in touch with our travel experts at Caradonna to find out more and to book your space – 1-877-295-7333 (REEF), or via e-mail REEF@caradonna.com. Details are given below and more information can be found online at http://www.REEF.org/tripsApril 21-28 – Nevis – Oualie Beach Resort. Led by Christy Semmens, REEF Director of Science.
May 26-June 2 (SOLD OUT) – Sun Dancer II, Belize – Lionfish Control Study, led by Lad Akins, REEF Director of Special Projects and Peter Hughes. June 9-16 (1 SPACE LEFT) and June 16-23 (book one or both weeks) – San Blas Islands, Panama – Coral Lodge, led by Paul Humann, REEF Co-Founder and Renowned Underwater Photographer and Author. July 14-21 – Lionfish workshop in Dominica – Dive Dominica and Anchorage Hotel, led by Lad Akins, REEF Director of Special Projects. July 28 – August 4 – San Salvador, Bahamas – Riding Rock Inn and Marina, led by Paul Humann, REEF Co-Founder and Renowned Underwater Photographer and Author. September 22-29 – Sea of Cortez, Baja Mexico – Rocio del Mar liveaboard, led by Drs. Brice and Christy Semmens, REEF Scientific Advisors and researchers. September 26-30 – Hornby Island, British Columbia – Hornby Island Diving, led by Janna Nichols, REEF Outreach Coordinator. October 6-13 – Bermuda – Triangle Diving and Grotto Bay Hotel, led by Ned and Anna DeLoach, REEF Board Members and World-Famous Marine Life Authors and Photographer/Videographers. November 10-17, British Virgin Islands – Cuan Law liveaboard, led by Heather George, REEF Expert Instructor. December 1-8, Cozumel – Aqua Safari, led by Tracey Griffin, REEF Expert Instructor.
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Please support REEF and the critical work we do by donating generously.
See You Next Month!
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powered by phplist v 2.10.10, © tincan ltdKey Largo, FL 33037. Members who donate $250 or more will receive a limited, signed, and numbered print of a beautiful Peppermint Basslet.
This year, we give thanks to all our supporters and donors who have made REEF’s programs in 2011 successful. Your donation supports a database of over 154,000 fish and invertebrate surveys, marine conservation research, Nassau Grouper and Goliath Grouper protections, lionfish invasion control, educational outreach, and a whole lot more. Please give thanks this month to our oceans! They cover 70 percent of this planet, are home to millions of magnificent species, and contain important resources that we all depend on. We appreciate your ongoing dedication to our marine conservation initiatives and wish you a happy holiday season.
The Faces of REEF: Member Spotlight, Kenny Tidwell
By Sasha Medlen, REEF Membership Coordinator
| REEF members are at the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Over 43,000 divers, snorkelers, students, and armchair naturalists stand behind our mission.This month we feature Kenny Tidwell (REEF member since 1998). Kenny is a member of REEF’s Advanced Assessment Team in the Tropical Western Atlantic and has conducted 291 surveys. Here’s what Kenny had to say about REEF:
When and how did you first volunteer with REEF or become a REEF member? I had been scuba diving for many years and after several hundred dives, I was honestly getting a little bored with what seemed to me as basically the same stuff on every dive. Little did I know I had been blindly swimming by some pretty amazing stuff that I didn’t even realize was there! I was lucky enough to take a dive trip to Bonaire in 1993 where I first met Jerry Ligon who is a naturalist in the area and inspired me to become a fish watcher! I immediately bought Paul Humann’s Caribbean fish ID book and made it my mission to learn something new on every dive. Around that same time, I started reading about REEF in dive magazines and liked what I saw about the organization’s mission and activities. I had long wanted to go on one of their field survey trips and finally signed up… |
|
Outstanding in their Field: Featured REEF Field Station, Aqua Safari
By Alecia Adamson, REEF Field Operations Coordinator
| REEF is proud to partner with over 130 dive shops, dive clubs, individuals, and other organizations as REEF Field Stations.Our outstanding Field Station this month is Aqua Safari in Cozumel. Aqua Safari has supported REEF since 2001. At that time, long-time REEF member and Cozumel local, Sheryl Shea, took the lead in promoting the Fish Survey program through teaching fish ID to both Aqua Safari staff and customers. That year, Aqua Safari hosted the first Cozumel Field Survey trip, with REEF surveyors and marine park staff submitting over 200 surveys in just a week! Today, REEF’s database holds data for over 400 species and over 6,000 surveys from Cozumel. Aqua Safari currently offers several fish ID courses to the general public: A “dry” introduction to Fish ID for snorkelers and divers; the REEF Level 2 course; and Advanced Fishes. … |
|
Lionfish Derbies in the Florida Keys Removes Over 1,000 of the Invasive Fish
By Lad Akins, REEF Director of Special Projects
| Divers and snorkelers removed 1,518 invasive lionfish from Florida Keys waters during three Lionfish Derby events in 2011. Organized by REEF in partnership with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby series began in 2010 to engage local communities in addressing the invasive lionfish issue. Goals of the lionfish derby series include raising awareness, educating collectors in safe collecting and handling procedures, providing samples for research, conducting lionfish cooking demonstrations and tastings for the general public, and encouraging ongoing removal efforts throughout the region. Teams of registered divers competed for cash and prizes in the categories of most, largest, and smallest lionfish. Dive teams traveled from as far as Chicago, IL.; Austin, TX; and Sunapee, NH to compete in the derbies. Participants and attendees observed filleting demonstrations and enjoyed tastings of lionfish caught during the event. Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey, Salisbury University, University of Florida, Loyola University, international researchers from the UK, the State of Florida, and NOAA all utilized samples and data from the derbies to aid in their lionfish research. Growing populations of lionfish off the southeast U.S., Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico are impacting native marine life commercially, recreationally, and ecologically important species. Derbies are just one of several strategies being employed to help control the lionfish invasion. Thanks to derby sponsors, including Ocean Reef Conservation Association, City of Layton, Divers Direct, Dive Key West, Spree Expeditions, Markey Marine Services, and The Weekly Newspapers. Visit http://www.REEF.org/lionfish/derbies for derby results and updates on future derbies. Visit the REEF Lionfish webpage to find out more about REEF’s Lionfish program. |
Jen Russell shows off her catch, which netted the largest lionfish award in the Key West derby this year.
|
Take a Dive Trip That Counts in 2012
By REEF Staff
|
Are you ready to take a dive trip that counts? If you are looking to spend a week in a wonderful destination, learning and exploring with a group of fun and like-minded divers and snorkelers, then don’t miss out on a REEF Trip. Now is the time to book your 2012 Field Survey with one of REEF’s expert guides. We have an exciting lineup planned. Trips are starting to fill up (some are already sold out), so don’t delay. Get in touch with our travel experts at Caradonna to find out more and to book your space – 1-877-295-7333 (REEF), or via e-mail REEF@caradonna.com. Details are given below and more information can be found online at http://www.REEF.org/trips April 21-28 – Nevis – Oualie Beach Resort. Led by Christy Semmens, REEF Director of Science. May 26-June 2 (SOLD OUT) – Sun Dancer II, Belize – Lionfish Control Study, led by Lad Akins, REEF Director of Special Projects and Peter Hughes. June 9-16 (1 SPACE LEFT) and June 16-23 (book one or both weeks) – San Blas Islands, Panama – Coral Lodge, led by Paul Humann, REEF Co-Founder and Renowned Underwater Photographer and Author. July 14-21 – Lionfish workshop in Dominica – Dive Dominica and Anchorage Hotel, led by Lad Akins, REEF Director of Special Projects. July 28 – August 4 – San Salvador, Bahamas – Riding Rock Inn and Marina, led by Paul Humann, REEF Co-Founder and Renowned Underwater Photographer and Author. September 22-29 – Sea of Cortez, Baja Mexico – Rocio del Mar liveaboard, led by Drs. Brice and Christy Semmens, REEF Scientific Advisors and researchers. September 26-30 – Hornby Island, British Columbia – Hornby Island Diving, led by Janna Nichols, REEF Outreach Coordinator. October 6-13 – Bermuda – Triangle Diving and Grotto Bay Hotel, led by Ned and Anna DeLoach, REEF Board Members and World-Famous Marine Life Authors and Photographer/Videographers. November 10-17, British Virgin Islands – Cuan Law liveaboard, led by Heather George, REEF Expert Instructor. December 1-8, Cozumel – Aqua Safari, led by Tracey Griffin, REEF Expert Instructor. |
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