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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

REEF Scuba: Uniting Scientists, Policymakers, and Divers for Coral Reef Conservation

Restoration, Ecology, and Environment Focused (REEF) Scuba (NGO in consultative status with UN) (
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
)
#OceanAction56546
    Description
    Description

    Reef Scuba unites divers, scientists, and policymakers to safeguard coral reefs globally. Our mission: weave restoration, ecology, and sustainability into scuba diving with cutting-edge resources, training, and tech. We’ve crafted a sustainable fishing guide for Mexico, pioneered AI tools for coral species identification and software for coral shading planning, and aided restoration in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Honduras. Our commitments:

    • Empower Divers: Train recreational divers as frontline stewards of scientific research, conservation, restoration, and monitoring.
    • Advance Science: Build tools, connect people and organizations, and share insights via our REEF Roundup podcast and @reefroundup Instagram.
    • Influence Policy: Shape marine strategies at ocean leadership forums, such as UN Ocean Conferences, leveraging our UN consulting status.
    • Restore Reefs: Partner on hands-on restoration across ocean basins. 
    Partners

    REEF Technology and Policy (Initiative by REEF Scuba) (NGO), Alliance for Aquatic Research and Conservation Sri Lanka (AARCSL) (NGO)

    Goal 13

    Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

    Goal 13

    13.1

    Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

    13.1.1

    Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population

    13.1.2

    Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030

    13.1.3

    Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies

    13.2

    Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

    13.2.1

    Number of countries with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

    13.2.2

    Total greenhouse gas emissions per year

    13.3

    Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

    13.3.1

    Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

    13.a

    Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible

    13.a.1

    Amounts provided and mobilized in United States dollars per year in relation to the continued existing collective mobilization goal of the $100 billion commitment through to 2025

    13.b

    Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities


     

    13.b.1

    Number of least developed countries and small island developing States with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    Ongoing - Share ocean conservation insights through the REEF Roundup podcast and @reefroundup Instagram, featuring ocean champions and actionable updates from our work in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Mexico, and Honduras.

    Host a policy workshop to help shape marine strategies by introducing policymakers to frontlines stewards of ocean conservation, leading impactful initiatives. Policymakers will learn more about what tools and kinds of funding can supercharge progress towards ocean related SDG goals. 

    Debut an online hub featuring coral reef conservation and restoration resources, our sustainable fishing guide, and tools for coral species identification and shading planning.

    Launch a diver training program focused on conservation and monitoring skills, paving the way for our physical training site in Mexico.

    Staff / Technical expertise
    A team of marine scientists, educators, AI developers, policy experts, content creators, and coordinators drives our work—from crafting the sustainable fishing guide for Mexico to building AI tools for coral species identification and shading planning.
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Multimedia & Tech Development: Our web developers and content creators produce the REEF Roundup podcast, manage @reefroundup Instagram, and are building an online hub to share conservation resources and tools.
    Other, please specify
    Partnerships: We collaborate with restoration teams in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Honduras, leverage our UN consulting status, and deepen ties with research institutions and conservation groups to amplify impact.
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Timeline
    07 October 2024 (start date)
    25 August 2030 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Restoration, Ecology, and Environment Focused (REEF) Scuba (NGO in consultative status with UN)
    SDGs
    Other beneficiaries

    NA

    Ocean Basins
    Global, North Pacific, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Indian Ocean
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Coral reefs, Ocean acidification, Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Marine pollution, Sustainable blue economy, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology
    More information
    Countries
    France
    France
    Honduras
    Honduras
    Mexico
    Mexico
    Philippines
    Philippines
    Portugal
    Portugal
    Sri Lanka
    Sri Lanka
    Thailand
    Thailand
    United States of America
    United States of America
    Headquarters
    Miami, Florida, USA
    Contact Information

    Graham , CEO