Dr. Shelby Thomas is Chief Executive Officer & Director of Research at Ocean Rescue Alliance International.

By Dr. Shelby Thomas

In 2014, during what would become the most impactful dive of my life, I watched a 100-year-old star coral colony die in just three days. That massive, vibrant reef structure turned grey and lifeless before my eyes. I knew I had to act.

As a marine scientist, I'd worked on dozens of restoration projects, but I kept seeing the same problem: most initiatives were just disaster responses funded by companies checking legal boxes, with minimal follow-up or community connection. I believed restoration should be proactive, not reactive – and people needed to feel personally connected to these underwater ecosystems they'd never see.

The solution came from an unexpected place. In 2018, I met an artist stuck with a 10-foot mermaid statue and nowhere to put it. That's when it clicked; art could bridge the gap between science and public engagement.

I founded Ocean Rescue Alliance International to revolutionize marine restoration through underwater sculpture parks. We create artistic artificial reefs that serve triple duty: providing critical habitat for marine life, generating sustainable tourism revenue, and turning local communities into ocean stewards.

The obstacles were significant. Skeptics questioned combining art with serious science. Funding was scarce for unproven approaches. Regulatory approval for underwater installations was complex. As a young woman in marine science, I faced additional credibility challenges.

But the results speak for themselves. We've deployed 180+ structures across multiple sites, created the first shore-accessible snorkel reef trail in South Florida, and developed programs that turn local kids into certified coral-planting citizen scientists. Our Coral Rangers program has engaged thousands of students in hands-on restoration.

Most importantly, we've proven that environmental restoration can be economically sustainable while creating deep community connections to ocean health. We're not just rebuilding reefs – we're rebuilding the relationship between people and the sea.

Dr. Shelby Thomas is Chief Executive Officer & Director of Research at Ocean Rescue Alliance International. @ORAI_reefs https://www.facebook.com/OceanRescueAllianceI; https://www.instagram.com/oceanrescuealliance https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-shelby-thomas-phd-347241b5 ; https://www.oceanrescuealliance.org