I pursued the career of a diving professional when I became involved as a stakeholder in the negotiations to set up the unique marine management system of the Soufriere Marine Management Association (SMMA).

As a scuba diver since 1984, I witnessed the dramatic decline of our coral reefs firsthand, which sparked my keen interest to protect these fantastic "rainforests of the sea."

When the SMMA got to a point that an administrative structure was needed, I applied for the position of manager and was accepted.

The relative inaccessibility and invisibility of the underwater world for most people is the reason that coral reefs still receive too little public attention to create sufficient political will to put adequate mechanisms in place, ensuring their survival in the future.

Hence, I dedicated my life to find ways to better manage, protect and promote the sustainable use of our marine and coastal resources. I find much satisfaction in working for this charitable cause.

The profession of Marine Protected Area Manager has not yet been formally defined, which might be the reason that so few of the declared marine protected areas in the Caribbean are presently actively managed and hence become “paper parks.”