Gili Air program empowers women in marine conservation and reef restoration

Coral Catch, a nonprofit based in Gili Air, Indonesia, offers the country's first marine conservation training program for women. The intensive nine-week scholarship program, launched in 2021, teaches local women diving, conservation, and leadership skills, including crafting reef structures, monitoring progress, and organizing beach clean-ups. Founder Rose Huizenga established Coral Catch to create career pathways for women in marine science and conservation, addressing the challenge of sustaining reef restoration efforts through local stewardship. The program aims to build a dedicated workforce for long-term coral reef monitoring and maintenance. Despite initial skepticism in the predominantly Muslim country about women pursuing diving careers, over 150 applied for the first cohort. Coral Catch has since trained 44 women from across Indonesia, with every graduate remaining active in conservation-related work, education, or research. Alumnae like Britania Hasilohan and Avicenna Wijayanto have secured roles in shark monitoring, reef research, and project management. Since 2021, Coral Catch has deployed over 300 restoration structures, planting more than 5,000 coral fragments and restoring approximately 850 square meters of reef habitat within the Gili Matra Marine Reserve. The organization also fosters a "sisterhood" alumni community, providing ongoing support, mentoring, and professional training. In early 2026, Coral Catch launched an academy to further support graduates an