Empowering women, protecting reefs: Coral Catch's inspiring vision

Empowering women, protecting reefs: In a moving moment at the Blue Water EduFest in Singapore, Rose Huizenga, founder of Coral Catch, was honored with the Blue Water Heroes Award 2024.

The award, presented by renowned marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle, recognized Rose's tireless work in both marine conservation and advancing gender equality within the field. But thats just one chapter in the powerful story of Coral Catch’s mission to restore coral reefs and uplift women in the process.

The goal of Coral Catch? To connect the health of our oceans with the empowerment of women in Indonesia – especially in a field traditionally dominated by men: marine research. In this article, we want to give an insight into this inspiring organisation.

A vision for change: Coral Catch's dual mission

Founded as Indonesia’s first all-female coral restoration team, Coral Catch is much more than a conservation effort. The organization is pioneering an innovative approach that combines environmental restoration with social impact.

Through its nine-week scholarship program, Coral Catch has already trained 32 women—whom they proudly call "Coral Catch Superwomen". These women are now leaders in the field of marine conservation, with many either continuing their studies in marine sciences or beginning careers in the sector.

But for Rose and the Coral Catch team, success is not just about planting corals or restoring reefs. "They say that when you change a woman’s life, you change her entire community,” Rose explained. For them, the real measure of success is how many lives are transformed through empowerment and education. Coral Catch’s efforts show that women, when given the tools and opportunity, can be powerful agents of change—not only for themselves but for the communities around them.

This belief that empowering women leads to broader social and environmental change has been central to Coral Catch’s approach. The organization's ultimate goal is to establish a network of 100 female leaders dedicated to coral reef protection across Indonesia. These leaders are not just coral restoration experts—they are role models and community advocates, using their positions to inspire the next generation of women in science and conservation.

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Uniting women for conservation: The coral catch conference

Looking ahead, Coral Catch has big plans to build on its momentum. With the $25,000 prize from the Blue Water Heroes Award, the organization will host the first-ever Coral Catch Conference—a three-day event that aims to unite women from across Asia who are working in marine science and conservation. This conference will feature workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and discussions with some of the most influential female conservationists in the field today.

The event will also create a platform for Coral Catch’s Superwomen to strengthen their professional networks and explore new collaborations. In a symbolic act of solidarity, participants will help construct and deploy 1,000 hex domes—a project that represents the collective power of women working together to protect the oceans. The conference aims to foster collaboration and inspire others to follow Coral Catch’s lead in using education and gender equity as tools for tackling the environmental challenges of our time.

By bringing together women who are passionate about marine conservation, the event will amplify the message that gender equality and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.

A blueprint for the future of marine conservation

One of the most inspiring aspects of Coral Catch’s work is how it has created a blueprint for empowering women in marine conservation that could be adapted to other regions facing similar environmental challenges. Through their hands-on training programs and emphasis on leadership, Coral Catch has shown that women’s participation in conservation is not just a benefit to the environment—it’s essential for the long-term health of our planet.

The organization’s success goes beyond restoring coral reefs; it’s about building communities and creating a ripple effect of change. As Rose Huizenga continues her work with Coral Catch, her vision of a world where women lead the charge in environmental conservation is becoming a reality.

And in doing so, she is proving that the future of our oceans depends not only on science but on the people—especially the women—who are dedicated to protecting them. In the words of Dr. Sylvia Earle, a long-time advocate for ocean conservation and women's leadership, “I have hope because there are people like you. With Coral Catch, that hope continues to grow."

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