The Brief on REEF

The 17-year-old REEF, based in Key Largo, was founded to connect the diving community with scientists, resource managers and conservationists and help each other protect marine life. That’s done primarily through the year-round fish-monitoring program, and REEF has nearly 60 field stations in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean that distribute survey forms, teach fish identification courses and organize local survey dives.

REEF is expanding the number of field trips volunteers can participate in. There are eight surveys scheduled for this year, ranging from observing Nassau groupers’ spawning behavior in Little Cayman to studying cryptic species in St. Vincent with Paul Humann and Ned and Anna DeLoach. Other trips go to Turks & Caicos, Key Largo, the Sea of Cortez, Cozumel and Akumal, Mexico. Prices range from $544 for a week in Cozumel to $2,595 at Little Cayman’s Southern Cross Club.

Even if you’re not into carrying paperwork during a dive, you can still help REEF by donating to its marine conservation programs. Before you send a check, you must join REEF (free membership). Donate online, or print out the donation sheet on its Web site and mail or fax it back. Donors giving $250 or more receive a limited-edition eagle ray print signed by Paul Humann.