ReefCI

15/11/2024

🐾 Waggie Deserves Her Spotlight Too!

Back-to-back posts for our island pups—because, why not? 🐕 Meet Waggie, another one of our amazing island dogs in Belize. Whether she’s soaking up the sun, munching on a coconut, or wandering around with the crew, she’s always improving life on the island. 🏝️✨

Hang with Waggie and Dude, explore the reef, and dive into marine conservation with us. Trust us, it’s a vibe you don’t want to miss. 🤿

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14/11/2024

🐶 Do we have any dog lovers out there?

Come to the island and meet this cutie, Dude! 🐩🏝️ Not only will you get to meet Dude, but you’ll also dive into marine conservation (literally 😉). Learn all about the ocean, explore the reefs, and maybe even take a dive or two while you're here! 🌊🐠

Trust us, it’s a win-win—cute dogs and ocean adventures! 🐾💙

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12/11/2024

🐢 Throwback to Turtle Prep Time!

A little flashback to when our team got the beach ready for nesting sea turtles. 🌊✨ Soft sand = happy mama turtles and a perfect spot to lay their eggs! Prepping the beach might be hard work, but watching those baby turtles make their first crawl to the ocean? Totally worth it. 🏖️💙

We're already counting down until the next turtle season-who's ready to cheer on some hatchlings with us? 🌅🐢

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11/11/2024

🌊 The ocean’s calling… are you ready to answer?

Whether you’re a dive pro or just figuring out how to put on fins, you’ll fit right in with us at ReefCI. 🤿🐠 Spend your days spearfishing invasive lionfish, restoring coral reefs, and swimming alongside some of the coolest marine life.

And yeah, we’re all about making a difference—but we’re also here to have an amazing time together. 🏝️💙 Good vibes, new friends, epic sunsets, and experiences you’ll never forget. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this.

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10/11/2024

🐟 Special Spotlight: Atlantic Spadefish

Say hello to the social Atlantic Spadefish! Known for their distinctive silver bodies with dark vertical stripes, these fish are often spotted cruising in schools near reefs and shipwrecks 🌊💙

Can anyone remember the dive site where our common school of spadefish like to hang out?

Fun Fact: Spadefish are curious by nature and might even swim up close to check you out during a dive! 🤿🐠

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07/11/2024

During our lionfish removal dives, safety and efficiency are key. That’s where our Zookeepers come in! These specialized containers help us safely store lionfish underwater after spearing them, protecting both divers and the reef. 🌊🦁

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06/11/2024

It's not all about what happens under the water here at ReefCI! Life on land is just as busy; our team's always working hard to make sure our gear stays in top shape.

Last week, our gear got a new and improved color-coded system to make gear assignment and gear check-in easier! We can’t wait to show you on your next visit. 💜💖💛💚💙🤍

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05/11/2024

Special Spotlight: The Trunkfish

Introducing the strange and interesting trunkfish! These reef inhabitants stand out from the rest of the marine life with their boxy shape and vibrant patterns. 🌊💙 Though they may appear slow and harmless, trunkfish are expert self-defense because, when threatened, they release a mild toxin! These unique fish are just one of the many marine species we encounter during our dives at ReefCI. Protecting their reef habitat is key to ensuring they thrive in our oceans.

Fun Fact: Trunkfish use jet propulsion to swim, puffing water out through their gills!

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04/11/2024

One way ReefCI gives back to the community is by supporting programs like Camp OAR. This program is an “Outdoor Adventure Retreat” created to empower youth in Belize. Camp OAR’s objective is to inspire environmental consciousness and allow campers to explore career paths in conservation, ecotourism, and related fields.

Through immersive experiences and hands-on
learning, the program equips participants with
vital knowledge and skills necessary for personal and professional growth.

Camp OAR’s program is run by SeaLand Expeditions with the support of partner organizations, FINS Belize & ReefCI.

Our next program will include kids ages 10-14 years old! We can’t wait to host them soon.

P.S. Happy Birthday, Diego🎂🥳🎈And congratulations on achieving your PADI Junior Open Water SCUBA certification!🤿

02/11/2024

Proud moments at ReefCI as our volunteers showcase their impressive lionfish catches! Each catch represents a step towards healthier reefs and a thriving marine ecosystem. Thank you for your hard work and dedication! 🌟🐟

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01/11/2024

The ocean is calling, and we’re answering! 🌊✨ Suiting up for an epic dive at ReefCI with this amazing crew. Can’t wait to discover the beauty beneath the waves!

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31/10/2024

🎃🦞 Spooky Spotlight: The Caribbean Spiny Lobster

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
This Halloween, meet one of the reef’s coolest “creepy crawlies”—the Caribbean spiny lobster! 🦞✨ With those long antennae and stealthy moves, these lobsters look like they’re straight out of an underwater haunted house. But don’t be fooled—they play a big role in keeping the reef healthy! 🌊💀

At ReefCI, we’re all about protecting their habitat, so these sea critters can keep lurking in the depths for generations to come. 👻💙

​​Fun Fact: Spiny lobsters can migrate in large groups, walking single file along the ocean floor!

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30/10/2024

At ReefCI, we’re not only dedicated to removing invasive lionfish from Belize’s waters, but we also make sure nothing goes to waste! As part of our lionfish conservation project, we teach volunteers how to safely clean and filet these invasive predators.
Lionfish are a serious threat to local marine life, but by removing them from the reefs, we’re helping restore balance to the ecosystem. The best part? Their white, flaky meat is delicious and sustainable! 🌊💙
Check out these photos from one of our educational talks, where we demonstrate how to handle, clean, and filet the lionfish. Every volunteer plays a part in protecting our reefs! 🐠✨
Learn more about the lionfish project at ReefCI and how you can help: https://reefci.com/our-programs/
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29/10/2024

Dive into action with us! 🌊✨ Lionfish may be stunning, but they pose a serious threat to our precious reefs. At ReefCI, our dedicated divers are on a mission to restore balance by hunting these invasive beauties. Every lionfish we catch helps safeguard native species and coral habitats. Ready to make a splash for conservation? Join us on a dive and be part of the solution! 💪🐠
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27/10/2024

🐢 Turtle Project: More Baby Turtles Hatching at Night!

Currently, a truly enchanting event is taking place at ReefCI - young turtles are heading towards the ocean as the sun sets! 🌅💙 Our efforts in turtle conservation aim to safeguard their nesting sites and enhance the survival prospects of these tiny hatchlings.

Witnessing the start of these small turtles' voyage is a memory that will never fade. Come join us at ReefCI to contribute to conservation efforts and experience this amazing event in person. 🌍

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26/10/2024

🦁 Special Spotlight: The Lionfish

Did you know? The lionfish, with its stunning stripes and venomous spines, is one of the most destructive invasive species in the Caribbean. 🦁🌊

Native to the Indo-Pacific, lionfish are harming local ecosystems by over-consuming native fish, damaging coral reefs, and reproducing rapidly.

At ReefCI, we’re on the front lines of lionfish removal to protect our marine habitats. Join us in the fight to save the reefs by learning more about lionfish and their impact! 🌍

Fun Fact: Lionfish can eat prey up to half their size with their huge, expandable stomachs!
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25/10/2024

Ever wonder what it’s like to volunteer on a private island dedicated to marine conservation? 🌊🏝️

Join us for a peek into a typical day at ReefCI, where our staff and volunteers dive into marine wildlife protection and hands-on conservation efforts!

From sunrise dives to helping with mitigating invasive species and relaxing on the island in the evening, every day is an adventure in preserving our oceans. 🌅🤿
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVTxzKV1h9g
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I volunteered with Reef Conservation International! See what it is like to volunteer on ReefCI's picturesque Caribbean island on the Belize Barrier Reef!

24/10/2024

🌟 Special Spotlight: Dolphins!
Playful, intelligent, and a crowd favorite—dolphins are the true acrobats of the ocean! 🌊💙 These amazing creatures communicate through clicks and whistles and are vital to keeping marine ecosystems balanced.

Fun Fact: Dolphins can recognize themselves in mirrors, a sign of their incredible intelligence!

At ReefCI, we love encountering dolphins during our dives, in front of our dock, and on our trips to and from Tom Owen’s Caye!🐬
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