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Lsdeep |
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Post subject: 15th "Great Annual Fish Count"
 Posted: Sep 23, 2006 - 03:15 AM
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Joined: Feb 18, 2007
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Divers help conserve South Florida coral reefs by conducting fun and scientifically useful underwater fish surveys. REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) empowers recreational divers to give back to the ocean ecosystems they love.
REEF-Helping Divers Give Back
Miami, FL (Scuba PRWire) Wed, 13-Sep-2006 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/13/2006
CONTACT: Leda Cunningham
(305) 852-0030, ext 4 (o)
(202) 494-1995 (c)
15th “Great Annual Fish Count” Benefits Local Resources, Engages Local Volunteers
Citizen science efforts help preserve Keys marine environment
KEY LARGO, Fla. - The Reef Environmental Education Foundation today announced that volunteers conducted more than 2,000 fish surveys on biodiversity and species abundance as part of the 15th Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC). 500 surveys were conducted in South Florida and the Florida Keys.
The GAFC is part of REEF’s year-round Volunteer Fish Survey Project, which engages divers and snorkelers in marine citizen science. REEF trains volunteers to collect data on fish populations during their recreational dives and provides the data to resource managers, scientists and international agencies. REEF holds the GAFC during July every year to amass a large quantity of data and engage “fish-watchers” in conservation much like the Audubon Society sponsors its annual Christmas Bird Count.
“The Fish Count is a great way to energize ‘veteran fish-watchers’ and recruit new volunteers,” said Bryan Dias, REEF’s Director of Outreach and Education and coordinator of the GAFC. “We hope that people who get involved through the GAFC keep doing this every time they get in the water. It’s a chance for divers and snorkelers to give back to the community. They really are ocean stewards and their efforts directly impact what they love – the marine environment.”
Of 44 GAFC events held worldwide, three took place in the Florida Keys. They featured a free REEF fish identification and training class and a dive and snorkel event.
“The GAFC is a great way to get a group together to learn about the fish, reef system and overall ecology of the Florida Keys waters,” said Dan Dawson, owner of Horizon Divers of Key Largo, a local partner with REEF.
REEF maintains the largest living fish population database in the world and it’s expected to top 100,000 surveys later this year. Each survey is conducted during a volunteer’s personal time under water. The data assist marine resource managers and contribute to the knowledge base of fish ecology.
“REEF is the single most productive volunteer-based marine data collection program I know,” said Dr. Steve Gittings, Science Director for the National Marine Sanctuary Program in Silver Spring, Maryland. “It would be impossible for marine resource managers to put enough marine biologists in the water to generate an equivalent amount of data to REEF.”
For more information, please visit:
www.reef.org |
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Idealism is what precedes experience - cynicism is what follows.
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