Champions for Coral Reefs & Communities

Scientists, dive store owners and operators, divers, snorkelers, marine volunteers are all stepping up to help coral reefs and communities. Here we acknowledge and appreciate some of the wonderful people who are making a difference in SE Asia. We're proud to know them!

Dr. Niphon Phongsuwan, marine scientist at the Marine Biology Center Thailand. Niphon was one of the first people who went into the sea after the tsunami to assess the damage to Thailand’s reefs and to develop a rapid assessment protocol. He continues to work in reef cleanup and restoration and he encourages environmentally conscious diving through his Green Fins network.
Dr. Sakanan Plathong, marine scientist at Prince Songkla University. Together with Niphon, Sakanan helped raise awareness on the environmental situation after the tsunami. He led the sea fan restoration work in Similan Islands and is helping to lead an ambitious coral reef restoration and artificial reef effort with the Sea Foundation.
Vittayen Muttamara and the Sea Foundation. Vittayen is a dive operator from Bangkok with a passion for the sea and conservation. Active in post-tsunami debris removal and restoration, Vittayen and Sakanan are leading a major artificial reef effort at the Sea Foundation. The Sea Foundation is a Thai non-profit dedicated to conservation and restoration of the oceans. Check them out as they have some ambitious plans for helping coral reefs and the sea.
Andrew Hewett. Andrew and his Thai wife owned the Adventure Club on Phi Phi Island. The waves washed away their home. Andrew responded by starting Phi Phi Tsunami Dive Camp to help the reefs and his community and he hasn’t stopped working for them since. The effort supports local people and engages volunteers from around the world.
Eko Lapp. One of the first scientists to respond to our call, Eko came from Hawaii to spend six months volunteering at Dive Camp Phi Phi where she did extraordinary work in organizing underwater debris removal efforts. Eko is now back in Hawaii but her heart is in Thailand and she hopes to return to continue her work. Eko's great! (No image available.)
Dr. Dwayne Meadows and Dr. Caroline Sachs. Our hats off to these two scientists and tsunami survivors who answered our call for assistance and who returned to Thailand to help the reefs and the community. Dwayne is a marine scientist who works in Hawaii and Caroline is a biologist from Germany. Both were in Khao Lak when the tsunami struck and both continue to help the communities there. They are amazing!
Stuart Robbens and the Tsunami Volunteer Network. Stuart has been head of the environmental program at the volunteer network in Khao Lak for many months and is volunteer extraordinare himself. Stuart, a diver, has been instrumental in organizing debris cleanups and getting people together to assess the damage to the reefs. The Tsunami Volunteer Network has done amazing work in Khao Lak.
Joe Hue of Similan Safaris began an early assessment of the marine environment and debris. Joe and his wife Suphap own Similan Safaris and have generously offered their boat and help in this work. Like so many, they lost their home, car and belongings to the waves. (No image available.)
Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando. Center for Conservation Research (CCR), Sri Lanka. First, Prithiviraj and Jenny (below) brought supplies to the devastated communities, then they trekked into Yala National Park to evaluate the effects of the tsunami on the park. Prithiviraj, a native Sri Lankan, continues to monitor the effects of the tsunami and to train local scientists. He and Jenny hosted our visit to Sri Lanka. CCR Sri Lanka does great science. Check them out.
Dr. Jennifer Pastorini. A scientist at Center for Conservation Research, Jenny has been working with Prithiviraj to learn important lessons from the tsunami. Although she is a land-based biologist most of the time, Jennifer came with us on one of our coral reef assessments in Hikkaduwa.
Jerker Tamelander and Marten Meynell. Scientists IUCN Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, Jerker was one of the first people in the ocean to assess the damage to the reefs and to alert people (including us) to the situation in Sri Lanka and to the cleanup needs. He’s helped many scientists with reef assessment. Marten has been doing an amazing job coordinating the debris removal effort throughout Sri Lanka. (No images available.)
Claudio Trento. Owner of “Dive the Snake,” a dive store, Claudio lost not one but both his dive stores to the tsunami. Claudio’s first response was not to rebuild his own stores but to help his community rebuild and help scientists in their reef studies. Claudio plans to restore his dive store for Sri Lankans and international divers.
Jiharsa. A dive operator from Hikkaduwa, Jiharsa generously provideed boats and cameras to the reef cleanup and assessment.

Jiharsa is at the left at his store.
Dr. Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem. Marine biologist at Banyan Tree, Maldives. Not only does Azeez run a great underwater laboratory and is a great host, but he volunteered and lived for three weeks on a devastated island helping the community rebuild and recover from the tsunami. Our hats off to Azeez, Banyan Tree, and its employees who helped their local community.
To all the volunteers whom we’ve sent and directed to help on many projects in SE Asia—wow! You’re fantastic. Thanks for giving up your vacation, giving of your time, and making a difference.

This is just a short list of the many amazing people who are stepping up to help. Read also the thank-you to our supporters.