REEF Scuba is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit marine conservation organization dedicated to integrating a Restoration, Ecology, and Environmental Focus (REEF) into the global diving industry. We combine scientific research, field restoration, policy engagement, and public education to empower divers, scientists, and citizens to become active ocean advocates.

To conduct rigorous, applied marine science; Bridge the gap between marine policy and on-the-ground conservation. Build tools to scale coral reef restoration through the dive industry; Make scientific knowledge accessible to local reef managers and scuba professionals; Empower scientific knowledge by allowing researcher to tap into our network of dedicated scuba professionals; Train the next generation of ocean advocates and scientific divers.

REEF Scuba was founded in 2020 by co-founders Graham Patterson and Tamara, who met while completing their Divemaster training in Thailand. Their daily diving experience in damaged reef systems motivated them to create an organization focused on actionable, community-centered conservation. Since then they’re both gone on to complete degrees in marine science and management.

Yes. REEF Scuba holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This accreditation allows our team to participate in UN meetings and policy discussions, submit official written and oral statements of support or disagreement, engage in the crafting of global ocean governance frameworks.

Integration with the diving industry

Field projects grounded in scientific research, not tourism.

Technology-forward conservation, including AI development.

A global policy presence at major ocean summits.

Emphasis on capacity building, especially training local scientists and young divers.

REEF Scuba works globally, with projects, training, and outreach in:

United States (policy and entity home base)

Honduras (coral restoration and diver training)

Thailand (early reef restoration and Divemaster training)

Malaysia (coral monitoring and restoration)

Philippines (current flagship project and long-term research site)

We focus on regions where reefs are under acute pressure and where investment in local capacity can have long-lasting impact.

Our current flagship project is based in the central eastern Philippines, focusing on:

Coral restoration and nursery deployment

Shading experiments to reduce bleaching

Long-term coral spawning monitoring

Training of young local scientists and scientific divers

Development of locally-led reef monitoring programs

We are also developing or expanding:

AI tools for species recognition

Cetacean photo ID algorithms

Coral spawning prediction models

Open-source restoration protocols for dive shops

We focus on:

Local leadership rather than outsider-driven projects

Scientific training programs for youth and early-career dive professionals

Low-cost, replicable restoration methods

Community partnerships with dive shops and marine parks

Open-source educational resources to reduce barriers

Yes. We regularly speak at, contribute to and report from major international ocean conferences, including:

UN Ocean Conferences (UNOC)

IUCN World Conservation Congresses

International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS)

REEF Futures

Regional ocean governance meetings

Our research focuses on applied, actionable marine science, including:

Coral reef restoration and nursery methods

Coral health, bleaching mitigation, and shading technologies

Coral spawning patterns and environmental predictors

Photogrammetry and automated image analysis

AI for underwater species identification

Development of low-cost monitoring tools for divers

We host specialized fellowships centered on solving scientific or technical challenges. Past and upcoming fellowship themes include:

Coral species classification using AI

Coral spawning forecasting

Data visualization for conservation

Field-based coral monitoring and restoration

Fellowships are competitive and emphasize:

Practical outputs

Long-term scientific value

Open-source tools

Yes. Our team has collaborated with researchers from Europe, Asia, and North America, including graduate students and scientists working on coral restoration and AI applications in marine biology.

You can access our educational content through:

REEF Roundup Podcast

Instagram: @reefroundup

Blog articles and newsletters

3 Bullet Thursday Newsletter

Field reports from conferences

We prioritize science communication that is accurate, accessible, and grounded in current research.

We welcome skilled volunteers who can contribute a minimum of 4 hours per week.
We particularly need professionals with expertise in:

Marine science

Data analysis and statistics

Web development

GIS, Python, and R

AI and computer vision

Communications and social media

Graphic design

Grant writing

Policy research

Legal or administrative support

Our work is remote-friendly. Each volunteer position is role-based rather than task-based, allowing for deep, meaningful contributions, but also necessitating proactive involvement.

We welcome collaborations with:

Universities

Research institutes

Dive centers

NGOs

Tech companies developing conservation tools

Teachers and education programs

Filmmakers and storytellers

Please reach out through our Contact page with a clear outline of your proposed collaboration.

Your donation directly funds:

Coral restoration equipment

Fieldwork operations in the Philippines and expanding program in Mexico

Educational programs for local youth

Development of open-source AI and monitoring tools

Travel to international conferences where we advocate for ocean protection

Safety and logistics for scientific diving operations

Yes. REEF Scuba is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States. All contributions are tax-deductible according to U.S. IRS guidelines.

REEF Roundup is our interview-based podcast featuring:

Marine scientists

Conservation leaders

Technologists

Explorers

Photographers

Policy experts

Episodes explore cutting-edge research, ocean threats, restoration solutions, and personal stories from ocean champions.

Yes. We welcome suggestions at info@reef-scuba.org.

Please provide:

Guest name

Background

Why their story matters

Links to their work

Co-founder and Executive Director: Graham Patterson

Co-founder, Executive Chair, and Programs Lead: Tamara Silverstone

Chief Financial Officer: Paul Lucky

Communications and Outreach Lead: Ayat

Plus a global network of volunteer scientists, technologists, divers, and storytellers.

REEF Scuba is legally registered in the United States as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with team members working remotely across several countries.

Active field programs are currently centered in the Philippines.