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Students for Coral Preservation (SCP) will team with Diver’s Paradise Dive Center for a special BleachWatch dive on Sunday, Mar. 8.
Scheduled for a 10 a.m. departure from Crandon Marina in Key Biscayne, the event will empower students to take part in real coral conservation — learning how to observe and to document reef health during a guided dive with Diver’s Paradise.
Coral reefs act as buffers, dissipating as much as 97 percent of incoming ocean wave energy. This natural effort protects coastal communities from storms and flooding. When coral reefs endure bleaching, it is a coral stress response to climatic changes — rising ocean temperatures, invasive species and man-made contamination.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, more than 70 countries have experienced mass bleaching since 2023; Florida reefs have lost 90 percent of coral cover since 1984 because of climate change.
SCP nurtures a better-equipped, better-informed generation of youth who are ready to tackle the challenges of coral preservation. Founded by Miami Country Day School seniors Andrei Steyn and Gabriel Robert, the growing non-profit has transformed marine education by encouraging experienced youth divers and novice participants to make a difference.
“We have a chance to motivate, educate and make new friends by saving our precious coral reefs,” SCP co-founder Andrew Steyn said. “SCP is building a community of future ocean stewards who will pass along what they have learned.”
Education is the foundation of Diver’s Paradise. Located in Key Biscayne, the 40-year-old facility is the premier scuba school in the region, the only state-licensed scuba university in the Miami area and one of nine adaptive facilities in the nation for special needs. Diver’s Paradise has a global reputation and mission to protect and to restore coral reefs, while advancing scuba instruction for youth, veterans, scuba professionals and the curious recreational diver.
“From our trips to our classes, we are thrilled to offer new opportunities that will spark smart global change,” said Michael Casey, Diver’s Paradise managing director. “If we remove the waste in our waters, hunt the ecological terrors to our oceans and embrace marine conservationist thinking, we’re preserving the environment. We are extremely appreciative of the opportunity to partner with this tremendous team of innovators.”
The Southeast Florida Action Network (SEAFAN) BleachWatch Program serves as an early warning system for coral bleaching and disease in South Florida — monitoring weather conditions, recording sea temperatures and cataloging data that provide insights into the current regional ocean conditions.
SCP programs are supported by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) AWARE Foundation. For more than 60 years, PADI has been driving local action for global ocean conservation, uniting divers, scientists and ocean advocates to protect marine life and ecosystems.
Through citizen science, policy change and community grants, the organization empowers ecological warriors to tackle the greatest ocean threats — from marine debris and habitat loss to species protection and climate change.
“We are honored to work with, be partners with Diver’s Paradise, SEAFAN and the PADI AWARE Foundation,” SCP interim president Kai Lingswiler said. “Together, we will make this happen and hopefully bring more people to the water. Coral disease affects all of us. We must do our part as coral reef guardians.”
The event is free for SCP members and has limited space. To register and to learn more, contact Andrei Steyn at andrei@studentsforcoral.org.
Diver’s Paradise is open for business Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit Diver’s Paradise online at diversparadise.miami/scp to learn more.
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