Steve Backshall
Zoologist and Broadcaster
Coral Catch
We are on a mission to empower 100 local women to protect and restore the coral reefs of Indonesia
Our Mission
Acknowledging the decline of coral reefs and the persistent gender gap in marine conservation, we made it our mission to empower local women to pursue careers in marine conservation by providing them with coral restoration scholarships.
Our ultimate goal is to build a strong network of 100 female leaders who protect and restore the coral reefs of Indonesia.
Coral Catch is registered as an official NGO organization in Indonesia under the name Yayasan Gili Matra Bersama – registration number 2606230096432.
Our Scholarship Program
Our nine-week award winning scholarship program gives women the knowledge, tools, experience and network to set up and monitor a coral restoration project.
Meet the Coral Catch Superwomen
All these women graduated from our nine-week coral restoration scholarships and are now making big waves in marine conservation!
Filza
Selvi
Ina
Fitriani
Venny
Jane
Abel
Athaya
Sinta
Eva
Daru
Tania
Salma
Ica
Cia
Umia
Nabila
Riska
Dilla
Kanya
Hirmaya
Rani
Dania
Brigitta
Bella
Karin
Sera
Wika
Ayu
Yasmin
Caterina
Ivonne
Afifa
Lyly
Relis
Kinah
Nathan
Evi
Cenna
Mardia
Aulia
Qinthan
Cynthia
Delya
The Superwomen have gone on to protect and restore reefs all over Indonesia.
Download a full map for an in-depth look at their success.
Why is Coral Catch important?
Coral reefs support life in our oceans, and our oceans support life as we know it. Yet half of our coral reefs have already been lost and scientists estimated that more than 90% of all coral reefs are expected to die by 2050, if we don’t act now.
In a world without coral reefs….
There would be 50-80% less oxygen for us to breathe
Around a quarter of all marine life would lose their habitat (that’s over 1 million species!)
Hundreds of millions of people would lose their main source of food and income
200 million people could lose their protection from storms, hurricanes and tsunamis
more than 50% of cancer drug research will not be possible as they rely on coral reefs
The world would lose about $36 billion in tourism revenue every year
To safeguard our oceans, it’s essential that we come together as a community. We believe in the power of including every voice to ensure effective and comprehensive action.
While strides have been made in recent years to promote gender equality in marine science and conservation, a significant gender gap still persists in the diving industry and marine conservation field. At Coral Catch, we are committed to reducing this gender gap by providing opportunities for local women to pursue careers in marine conservation.
Save the Date
We’ve picked out our most exciting events for you to put into your diary.
International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) – 16th Edition
Sydney, Australia
19/07/2026
24/07/2026
The International Coral Reef Symposium is a leading global forum for coral reef science and conservation, bringing experts together to share insights and amplify women’s voices in reef protection.
19
JUL
Coral Catch Batch #12
Gili Air, Lombok
09/09/2026
22/11/2026
Applications for Batch #12 will open mid 2026. Follow us on social media for the latest updates, and a peek behind the scenes as we prepare for another inspiring journey.
09
SEP
ChangeNOW Summit
Paris, France
30/03/2026
01/04/2026
ChangeNOW is the world’s largest event dedicated to solutions for the planet. Coral Catch Founder Rose will join the session “Making the Ocean a More Inclusive Space”, sharing our story and vision under the iconic glass dome of the Grand Palais.
30
MAR
United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP)
Antalya, Turkey
09/09/2026
20/09/2026
The UN Climate Change Conference brings global leaders together to address the climate crisis, and Coral Catch will join conversations on climate action, ocean protection, and inclusive leadership, centering women on the frontlines.
09
SEP
Reef Futures
Quintana Roo, Mexcio
06/12/2026
11/12/2026
Reef Futures unites scientists, practitioners and organisations to share knowledge, explore innovative approaches and strengthen collaboration for the future of coral reef conservation worldwide.
06
DEC
Coral Catch Batch #13
Gili Air, Lombok
21/03/2027
29/05/2027
Applications for Batch #13 will open soon. Follow us on social media for the latest updates, and a peek behind the scenes as we prepare for another inspiring journey.
21
MAR
Coral Catch Batch #14
Gili Air, Lombok
20/06/2027
28/08/2027
Applications for Batch #14 will open soon. Follow us on social media for the latest updates, and a peek behind the scenes as we prepare for another inspiring journey.
20
JUN
Coral Catch Batch #15
Gili Air, Lombok
19/09/2027
27/11/2027
Applications for Batch #15 will open soon. Follow us on social media for the latest updates, and a peek behind the scenes as we prepare for another inspiring journey.
19
SEP
Coral Catch Conference
Gili Air, Lombok
08/10/2027
10/10/2027
We are working hard to organize two incredible days on Gili Air where amazing women in marine conservation come together to celebrate, connect, and dream big, Stay tuned!
08
OCT
Join The Movement
Apply for a scholarship
Join our award-winning coral restoration scholarship program where you'll learn how to set up and monitor a coral restoration project in just 9 weeks.
Share your knowledge
You are an expert in your field (marine science, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, well being) and you would like to share your knowledge with our Superwomen ?
Sponsor a Superwoman
Become a sponsor and contribute to creating better lives, stronger coral reefs, and a brighter future for young women in Indonesia.
Awards
2026 GoAbroad Innovation Award
We are honoured to receive the 2026 GoAbroad Innovation Award. This recognition celebrates Coral Catch’s commitment to marine conservation in Indonesia, empowering local women to protect, restore and champion our coral reefs.
At the Blue Water EduFest in Singapore, Rose Huizenga, founder of Coral Catch, received the 2024 Blue Water Heroes Award from Dr. Sylvia Earle for her outstanding contributions to marine conservation and gender equity.
In 2023 Rose, the founder of Coral Catch, was named Sea Hero of the Year by Scuba diving magazine for making marine conservation careers accessible to all women in Indonesia.
In 2022 Coral Catch was honored with the prestigious GoAbroad Award in the category of ‘Innovation in Philanthropy’. This recognition underscores our commitment to innovative solutions and impactful philanthropic endeavors in marine conservation.
In 2023, Coral Catch was listed as one of the three finalists of the Ocean Awards in the category ‘ Local Hero’
This award recognizes the individual or (grassroots / community-based / local) group that has had the most positive impact on the marine environment within their local community.
In 2022 Coral Catch was one of the first organizations of PADI’s Community Grant Program Funding.
PADI AWARE Community Grants are awarded to ocean protection initiatives and projects in direct support of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development.
Meet Our Coral Catch Ambassadors
Kelly Latijnhouwers
Fouder @ REACT Foundation
Dr. Alison Sky Simmance Budden
Ocean Expert, Explorer, Storyteller & Co Founder Ocean Hope Club.
Dr. Fiona Ocean Simmance Armstrong
Ocean Expert, Explorer, Storyteller & Co Founder Ocean Hope Club.
The Latest News
- Written by Ben Rich
- Published on
A Moment to Celebrate:Rose Huizenga Wins the Blue Water Heroes Award 2024 We’re proud to announce that our founder, Rose Huizenga, has been honored with the prestigious Blue Water Heroes Award 2024...
- Written by Coral Catch
- Published on
The Coral Catch Underwater Art Museum is a unique collaboration between artist Will Solomon & Coral Catch to inform & inspire about the value of coral reefs....
- Written by Robin
- Published on
The Coral Catch Underwater Art Museum is a unique collaboration between artist Will Solomon & Coral Catch to inform & inspire about the value of coral reefs....
