Research lead

Felix is a specialist in coral reef restoration ecology with a ten-year background in community-based grassroots conservation in the Caribbean and Latin America, and a Master of Science in Tropical Coastal Ecosystem Management from the University of the West Indies. His work focuses mainly on emergency response and endangered species conservation and restoration. He has worked with coral reefs in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, the Cayman Islands and extensively in Jamaica where he has been actively involved in the country's MPA network, responding to the major coral mortality event of 2023 and rebuilding climate adapted populations of keystone species.

Felix spearheaded and led the Resilient Reefs of Jamaica national Acropora inventory and restocking campaign which he has so far decentralised along the north coast throughout consecutive positions at White River Fish Sanctuary and the St. Ann Marine Association, Iberostar Resorts' Wave of Change program, Seascape Caribbean and most recently the Derby Beach Marine Sanctuary and Lucea Fish Sanctuary.

Research co-lead

Syrece is a marine biologist and diver with an undergraduate degree from the UWI Mona. She has gained practical experience at the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory and most recently the private contractor Seascape Caribbean and the Montego Bay Marine Park.

A shared vision and set of field skills has led to Syrece and Felix partnering as The Protectors to continue expanding this mission.

Coral farmer

Mario is a free diver and long-distance swimmer originally from St. Elizabeth, who has swum the reefs of Mesoamerica as an artisanal fisherman and compared the status of those corals to Jamaica's.

Inspired by the opportunity to rewrite Jamaica's coral conservation story, Mario joined the team in 2026 as a regular coral farmer.

Scuba diver, coral farmer

Michael is a farmer, free diver and certified scuba diver from Falmouth, with several years of experience in various coral conservation projects in Jamaica.

Since late 2023, Michael has formed part of the early sourcing of parent corals that are today represented in the nursery and continues to provide regular support in the field.

Coral farmer

Moko is a skilled free diver and long-distance swimmer from Duncans, whose main occupation is artisanal spearfishing.

In 2026, he trained as a coral farmer, conducting regular maintenance and care in the nurseries and periodically monitoring the corals in culture.

Field assistant & diver

Kayla is a marine biologist from Portmore with a minor in Japanese from the University of the West Indies. Kayla is a lifelong lover of the sea and developed a knowledge of coral reefs during her bachelor’s programme.

Alarmed by the decline in coral reefs around the world, including Jamaica, Kayla joined the team at the start of 2026, wanting to conserve different heat tolerant species and enhance their environmental tolerance.

Project co-founder and coral farmer

Hosang is a part-time fisherman and full-time chef and entrepreneur in the Derby Beach fishing village. In early 2024, he co-founded the coral program after expressing his aspirations to regenerate the corals on the reef.

Today he collaborates as a part-time coral farmer and ambassador for the project in the community.