Coral Catch Press

The Sisters of the Sea are a group of outstanding women who fully embody the true female spirit. They, like you, have fought hard to make their mark on the world and have chosen to dedicate their time, energy and wisdom to protecting, researching and enjoying our oceans. Here we celebrate their achievements with you and hope that as many people as possible are inspired and decide to emulate these amazing individuals.

For Rose Huizenga, the financial support she’ll receive from Seiko as 2023’s Sea Hero of the Year is not merely a sum of money, but the foundation for girls in Indonesia to be given the chance to build better lives, stronger coral reefs and brighter futures. In her words, the award “symbolizes hope, progress, and the collective power of individuals and communities coming together for a shared vision of a healthier planet and empowered societies.”

Dans les îles Gili, en Indonésie, savoir nager n’est pas acquis par tout le monde. Sur Gili Air, des Indonésiennes en formation de plongée donnent ainsi à leurs paires des leçons de natation. Leur objectif : permettre à 100 filles et femmes des îles Gili de savoir nager. Patience et bonne humeur au rendez-vous.

Fuelled by a dream to reduce the gender gap in marine science and actively protect our oceans, Rose started training local women from across Indonesia to set up their own coral restoration projects. The aim is clear: to build a strong network of female leaders protecting the reefs of Indonesia.

This short film features the story of Avicenna Wijayanto, a CoralCatch Superwoman dedicated to saving the reefs where she lives in Indonesia. It was the first #reefstory created in partnership with Coral Restoration Consortium using the CRC Citizen Documentarian Guide.

In the realm of ocean conservation, some individuals stand as inspiring pillars of change. Rose Huizenga, a dedicated PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor originally from the Netherlands and currently residing in Gili Air, Indonesia, has been awarded the prestigious title of the 2023 Sea Hero of the Year. Sponsored by Seiko Prospex, this recognition celebrates Huizenga’s remarkable efforts in safeguarding our planet’s oceans.

Eind september komen wij aan bij Gili Air, een klein eilandje voor de kust van Lombok. Mijn man en ik zijn op wereldreis met onze zeilboot NOK en zijn inmiddels in Indonesië aanbeland. Langzaam weer onderweg naar Nederland. Op de website van dewereldwijven.com heb ik gelezen over wereldwijf Rose, die op Gili Air interessante dingen doet. Daar wil ik meer van weten. Vandaar dat we ons anker bij Gili Air in de grond gooien en haar opzoeken.

This award recognizes philanthropic efforts that have impacted an individual, group, or local or global community. The GoAbroad Foundation seeks to honor organizations that demonstrate innovative corporate responsibility and philanthropy. In 2022 Coral Catch won the ‘Go Abroad -Innovation in Philanthropy award.

Rose Huizenga is a marine conservationist who focuses on making careers in her field accessible to all women in Indonesia. For her ingenuity and perseverance, Rose is our February 2023 Sea Hero.

In Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, one such group, Coral Catch Gili Air, is working to regrow the island’s coral reefs and launch a training program to teach other citizens to do the same.

Coral Catch on Gili Air, Indonesia is one of the first recipients of the PADI Aware Community Grants. These grants are awarded to ocean protection initiatives and projects in direct support of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development