When I first met Nico, I was intrigued by his description of Blue Alliance’s mission but, more importantly, their unique methodology to actively protect our oceans. In attempting to empower and employ local people, while simultaneously acknowledging the livelihoods and sustenance they receive from the sea, the team at Blue Alliance is attempting to create a sustainable model that could actually work and provide reef protection for years to come. Clearly, it's not enough to simply declare sections of the ocean as protected spaces or marine parks, someone has to be on the ground to actually provide protection for these incredible, yet vulnerable, places. Blue Alliance and their local team members are the ones making that happen. I look forward to supporting their efforts as they expand their operations around the globe.

I’ve been diving in various Marine Protected Areas around the world for decades. I have witnessed first hand the underwater beauty of these zones and the real challenges involved in properly protecting and patrolling them.   I found Blue Alliance’s holistic approach to protecting these areas, while benefiting local communities, with the end goal of self-sustainability to be a very unique solution. After meeting the team, there was no question that Blue Alliance should become the flagship project of my ocean conservation foundation. I’m now honoured to support their work as a board member as well.