The 8th Annual GAFC was held July 25th, 2009!!

The event was a huge success, We had 119 divers conducting 140 total dives and observed 45 different species. All three numbers were records for the event, and divers saw species that had never been observed before, including the Atlantic wolf fish and the Atlantic torpedo ray.

There was over $8,000.00 worth of prizes given away to divers, and $1000 was raised to benefit the Cotting School/Seamark and Bridgewater State College Special Needs Club (BSC Buddies). 

Collection data for the 2009 GAFC can be viewed on Reef's site, or through a local copy on the NEADC Site

The Gloucester Times did a great story on the event, view it here

2009 Details

The New England Aquarium Dive Club and The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) will host the 8th annual Northeast Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC) event. The celebration will be centered at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Massachusetts.  GAFC dives are planned at seven shore locations around Cape Ann, along with dives at Nubble Light, York, ME.  There will be a picnic, free raffles and door prizes.  Every survey form submitted after each dive will count as an entry into the raffles for each diver.  We are expecting more than 100 divers to participate in the day’s celebration.

We have over $8,000.00 worth of prizes, including:

• Grand Prize: The Golden Reef In in Bonaire will once again donate a stay, drive and dive package for one diver for a 7 day trip to Bonaire!  This prize is valued at $725.00.  Their only requirement is a second diver must accompany the winner and pay for the same package (the posted price is for peak, rates are lower off-peak).
• Dive in NEAq's Giant Ocean Tank Value: $2500.00 (Donated by the New England Aquarium)
• Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 10 megapixel Camera & Olympus PT-047 Camera Housing Value: $579.99 (Donated by Olympus of America)
• Sherwood Brut Regulator Value: $350.00 (Donated By: South Shore Divers, Inc)
• 1 Form 6.5mm Jumper Steamer, size large - value $298.00 (Donated by Scubapro)
• 1-3.2mm Everflex Steamer, woman's, size large - value $313.00 (Donated by Scubapro)
• 1-3.2 mm Everflex Steamer, men's size large - value $313.00.  (Donated by Scubapro)
• A pair of twin jet fins (Donated by Scubapro)

View the 2009 Flyer for more info!

There will also be a cash raffle to benefit the Cotting School/Seamark and Bridgewater State College Special Needs Club (BSC Buddies).  100% of the proceeds will be split between the two organizations.  BSC Buddies provides group activities to individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout the Brockton/Bridgewater area and 5 surrounding cities and towns.  BSC Buddies has partnered with the Brockton Area ARC to help make a difference in our local communities.  More information and photos on BSC Buddies will be on display at the event.

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!  Divers need to pre-register with Bob Michelson NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2009.  If you are not pre-registered you cannot be entered into the $8000.00+ volunteer fish counters raffle!!

We will have also have a complete sea life collection available as both Christmas ornaments and magnets.  The collection includes dolphins, manatees, starfish, crabs, lobster, sharks, several different tropical fish & sea shells, as well as lighthouses.  These ceramic pieces have been hand crafted and painted in the USA.  The suggested donation is $2.00 each and $1.00 from each ornament will go directly to benefit the Cotting School and Seamark.

Parking is available at Stage Fort Park for a $10 fee. We will also have free off-site parking available and a shuttle to bring people back and forth.

Below is a list of the more popular sites, but any site in New England is available. Dive site coordinators are needed for several sites listed below.  Please let Bob Michelson know if you can cover a site this year.  You do NOT need to be a Divemaster, just acclimate folks to the location, check off their names, then get suited up and go count fish.

Potential Dive Sites

Site Name	Map	Site Coordinator	REEF Zone Code
Folly Cove 8AM		Eileen Byrne, Olympus camera demo/loaners	91010901(Left) 91010902(Right)
Cathedral Rocks 8AM		Ilya T.	91010904
Pebble Beach 8AM		Mike Whyte	91010912
Lane's Cove 8AM		Al Boyarsky	91010937
Halibut Shores 8AM		Alicia Lenci	91010939
Back Beach 10:30AM		Shawn Cormier	91010909
Old Garden Beach 8AM		Amy Maurer	91010905
Nubble Light 7AM		Jim Drew	91030101
Plum Cove 8AM		Jim Carozza	91010940
Stage Fort Park		Al Bozza	91010931

.Remember, you must register with Bob Michelson before July 22th to be eligible for the raffle. Send him your name REEF Member ID # (if you have one) and intended dive site, and he will put you on the list for that site.