Photographer/Author Paul Humann to Highlight Florida Keys' Great Annual Fish Count Kickoff July 7

For Immediate Release

KEY LARGO, Florida Keys -- Noted photographer and author Paul Humann, whose "Reef Fish Identification" series of books on fish, corals and creatures are used by divers and snorkelers around the world, is to be the special guest at the Great Annual Fish Count kick-off reception set for 6-8 p.m. Saturday, July 7.

The open house reception is to be held at the headquarters of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, mile marker 98.3 in the center median of U.S. Highway 1.

Humann is slated to sign copies of his books and answer questions about marine life identification and photography.

Now in its 16th year, the Great Annual Fish Count enlists scuba divers around the world to collect data on reef fish populations. The data has been used by local and national agencies to develop management plans for coral reef resources in the Florida Keys, Caribbean islands, Hawaii and South Pacific.

Divers can attend fish identification seminars at no charge and are given underwater tabulation sheets, also at no charge.

The annual event lasts the entire month of July.

For more information on the Great Annual Fish Count, contact the Reef Environmental Education Foundation at (305) 852-0030 or visit www.reef.org .

To find out about area accommodations, call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at (305) 451-4747 or (800) 822-1088, or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com .