Selamat siang from Gili Air, Indonesia!
34 hours of travel, two flights, a ferry, and more than five years in the making — the journey to meet the women of Coral Catch was one worth every mile.
Founded by Rose Huizenga, Coral Catch is the first all-female coral restoration program in Indonesia. Its mission is bold: empower 100 local women to pursue careers in marine conservation.
Since 2021, I have supported the program as an ambassador, joining virtually to share expertise on reef restoration. But in December 2024, after meeting Rose at Reef Futures where she announced Coral Catch had just received the prestigious Blue Water Heroes Award, the next step became clear.
One year later, I was on the ground in Indonesia, witnessing this movement firsthand.
A Celebration of Coral Catch’s Alumni
The Coral Catch conference brought together nearly 80 women, including 30 alumni of the scholarship program. Over several days, participants shared stories of science, conservation, communication, and community. It was a celebration of resilience, connection, and purpose.
Each Superwoman had her own story of how the ocean shaped her life. Some were scientists, others storytellers, all united by a drive to protect coral reefs and their communities. The energy in the room was proof that this program is not only training practitioners, but also creating a sisterhood grounded in action and hope.
Beyond Training, True Impact
Coral restoration is often questioned. Skeptics point to the scale of global climate change and ask if planting corals makes a difference. But Coral Catch demonstrates that the value of restoration reaches far beyond numbers.
With the recent passing of Jane Goodall, another female pioneer for conservation, social media has been flooded with quotes from her including: “Chose joy. Even when you have all the facts.”
The facts remain:
- The ocean faces immense challenges.
- Restoration work is physically tough and emotionally demanding.
- Progress is incremental, often invisible at first.
And yet, every single woman at Coral Catch chose to keep going. They chose joy, they chose community, and they chose the sea.
What struck me most was that the program creates access to the marine world for women who might never have had the chance to experience it otherwise. That empowerment, that sense of belonging, cannot be quantified — but it is no less powerful than any ecological result.
The Power of Storytelling
Storytelling played a central role throughout the conference. Coral Catch encourages its Superwomen to share their journeys online, using social media as a platform for authenticity, awareness, and connection. Unlike the curated perfection we so often see online, their voices are real — filled with passion and purpose that mirrors their daily work.
The human stories behind Coral Catch are as vital as the corals themselves. They remind us that restoration is not only about rebuilding reefs but also about strengthening communities and creating opportunities where they have never existed before.
Stories Worth Sharing
My experience in Gili Air is only one version of the Coral Catch story. Others have shared their reflections, capturing the essence of this remarkable program:
- Coral Catch Reflection by Marlalise
- A Coral Catch Story – DiveHERs Film
- Superwoman Cenna – CRC Storytelling Hub
Written by: Jessica Levy, CRF Director of Restoration Strategy
