Coral Catch (Yayasan Gili Matra Bersama)

The Coral Catch program equips Indonesian women with the skills to become leaders in marine conservation while addressing critical environmental challenges. The program’s mission includes restoring coral reefs, fostering community involvement, and promoting gender equality in conservation. Participants actively contribute by designing and monitoring coral restoration projects and have already deployed over 250 structures and planted more than 5,000 corals in the Gili Matra Marine Reserve. By integrating research and restoration efforts, Coral Catch is paving the way for long-term reef protection and community-led marine stewardship.

Coral Catch, (registered as Yayasan Gili Matra Bersama) is driving generational change for Indonesia's coral reefs and providing opportunities for women to lead in marine conservation. 

With support from PADI AWARE Foundation’s Community Grants and the local community, Coral Catch, an award-winning scholarship program, is facilitating opportunities for 100 Indonesian women to pursue careers in marine conservation through its coral restoration scholarship. This program addresses three critical challenges: coral reef degradation, gender inequality in conservation, and limited local community involvement, creating real change where it matters most.

“Our success is not measured by the number of corals we plant or the square meters of reef we restore, but by the lives we transform—empowering women and communities to lead the charge in marine conservation,” says founder Rose Huizenga.

Through the nine-week program, Coral Catch turns the dream of working in marine conservation into reality. Participants gain hands-on experience designing and monitoring their own coral restoration projects, but the program is about more than skills—it’s about creating leaders. Graduates leave with the tools to inspire others, teaching local children about conservation, organizing beach cleanups, and even helping other women learn how to swim.

So far, Coral Catch has deployed over 250 structures and planted more than 5,000 corals. They’ve also established their own underwater science lab focused on researching effective coral restoration techniques in the Gili Matra Marine Reserve.

To date, 32 Superwomen have graduated from the program, with every single graduate now working in marine conservation or continuing their studies in marine science. More than half have become PADI dive professionals. With support from their third PADI AWARE Community Grant, Coral Catch is now preparing to welcome Batch #10 of graduates, bringing them closer to their ultimate vision: a network of 100 female leaders working to protect and restore Indonesia’s reefs.

Founder Rose Huizenga’s deep connection to the ocean fuels her drive. “The ocean is the place that I call home,” Huizenga said. “It inspires me every day to be the best version of myself and to share that with others.” She envisions the program’s success in helping another 100 Indonesian women over the next five years, praising them as role models and confident they will inspire others to protect the blue heart of the planet. 

Want to see more of Coral Catch (Yayasan Gili Matra Bersama) in Action?

You can follow along with Coral Catch (Yayasan Gili Matra Bersama) and the Coral Catch Superwomen on their website, Instagram, Facebook, or on https://www.padi.com/aware.