Ocean Conservation Foundation is a Florida Keys-based non-profit that unites a large staff of professional divers with the expertise of our scientific partners and collaborators. Together, we can harness all resources available in order to restore a healthy reef system by efficiently and effectively rebuilding coral populations, restoring reef ecosystems, and mitigating harmful human effects like debris accumulation. It is clear that the oceans cannot wait any longer for this type of positive anthropogenic involvement, and OCF allows scientists working to revive the third largest barrier reef in the world to accomplish this restoration as quickly as possible.

Ocean Conservation Foundation is a unique non-profit organization because we are composed of an army of dive professionals, a navy of dive boats, and marine conservation experts to expedite the conservation work scientists are already doing. Due to their high level of expertise, OCF professional dive staff accomplish exponentially more restoration work than volunteers in the same amount of time. Where a restoration volunteer may plant a few dozen corals in an afternoon, our dive professionals plant several hundred. By adding this network of professional dive resources to other ongoing conservation activities, OCF provides the execution and manpower that is currently missing from the conservation formula to restore the reefs as quickly as possible.

We are partnered with Rainbow Reef Dive Center, a certified Blue Star Operator.

Through this partnership, we not only restore the reefs but also promote responsible stewardship of the marine environment by all who use it. Some steps Rainbow Reef has taken to protect the ocean include: the elimination of single-use plastic water bottles on their boats to reduce plastic waste, requiring the use of reef-safe sunscreen on their vessels, and being an active member of several international conservation consortium organizations. Partnering with Rainbow Reef grants OCF access to a 8-boat fleet of dive vessels that will be used to restore and protect local coral reefs.

Ocean Conservation Foundation provides:

• Coral conservation and bleaching seminars or classes on request

• Experts that are available for speaking engagements, educational outreach, interviews or general questions. Contact info@oceancounservationfoundation.org

• In partnership with Rainbow Reef, OCF Ambassadors engage with divers daily on current conservation issues and events such as coral health, coral restoration and marine debris.

• For more in-depth information and education, OCF, through Rainbow Reef, provides PADI AWARE specialty courses and certifications on Coral Conservation, Dive Against Debris, and Fish Identification.