Q: Can you please introduce yourself, your organisation, and your role?
A: My name is Aviv Brenner, and I have worked with Coral Gardeners in the past. During my time with them, I handled various aspects of fundraising, including running the ecommerce channels, corporate partnerships and conversation focused fundraising. My responsibilities ranged from organising activation events with the World Surf League to building coral nurseries and technology for our restoration team.
Q: What motivates you to prioritise the conservation and protection of the oceans?
A: On a personal level, the ocean provides me with a sense of peace and clarity. She keeps me humble and in a calm state of mind. It sparks my endless curiosity and pushes me into a flow state. With the world in mind, the ocean holds incredible power, information, and opportunities to learn ways to live harmoniously with our planet. The ocean is entirely unknown to most people, but there are beautiful secrets hidden below the surface, ones we would never know about unless we actively looked. Being a student of the ocean has shown me the way in which I can make a difference in the world.
Q: How have you contributed to the betterment of the oceans?
A: When I joined Coral Gardeners three years ago, I began by managing their e-commerce stores. We sold products like bracelets and t-shirts, all with a direct education and impact on our coral restoration efforts. However, I identified more significant opportunities as time went on. I created a program called "We The Reef", which aimed to combine localised business revenue with a global mission. It involved educating businesses' customer bases about coral reefs, their importance and how their financial contribution was directly saving the reefs. By raising awareness about coral reefs and donating a percentage of their sales to us, businesses gave a deeper meaning to their mission and more value to their customers. The goal was to create “An (eco) system to take financial care of coral reefs forever. A community of ocean driven businesses in the Blue Economy.”
Q: How can the surfing industry play a role in supporting ocean health?
A: An excellent example of the surfing industry's support for ocean health was our collaboration with the World Surf League. They made a direct donation to Coral Gardeners, which funded a nursery at Teahupo'o. This place, “at the end of the road”, holds tremendous spiritual and economic importance for the people of French Polynesia. This collaboration was extremely valuable, bringing the professional surfers to workshops with local children and all together protecting the reef they all respect. This was broadcasted on the live feed and support shown through other publications after the event.
Q: Can you recommend any books, brands, organisations, or people that can further our understanding of ocean conservation?
A: Certainly, I recommend the following:
- "Let My People Go Surfing" by Yvon Chouinard: This book provides insights into a sustainable approach to business, which can be highly relevant to those in the surfing and ocean conservation industry.
- "Blue Mind" by Wallace J. Nichols: This book explores the psychological and cognitive benefits of being in and around the ocean, shedding light on why the ocean is essential to human well-being.
- "The Art and Science of Ernst Haeckel": While not directly related to ocean conservation, this book's illustrations of marine life from the past can inspire interest in the ocean's unique beauty and historical significance.
These resources can offer valuable perspectives and information about ocean conservation and its related fields.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share or discuss regarding ocean conservation and its potential for future generations?
A: I'd like to emphasise that now is the time for individuals to pursue a life in and around the ocean. The ocean needs people with diverse talents, motivations, and backgrounds, not just marine biologists or oceanographers. Whether it's from a business, legal, design , or educational standpoint; everyone can make a unique contribution. With your perfectly individual mindset, you can bring something new to ocean conservation that will change people’s minds and maybe the world all together. The ocean community is strong with people who want to see her prosper and you’ll fit right in. Look to your local coastline and find an opportunity to get involved.
Additionally, I love your idea of the "Born Slippy" waiver for surf schools, as it sets a positive tone and fosters a sense of responsibility and community among young surfers. It's all about acknowledging the importance of what's happening beneath the surface, which has a profound impact on everything above it.
Connect with Aviv here on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviv-brender/