My mission on Bonaire: saving the coral reefs

As an official Reef Renewal volunteer, I am committed — for all of us. My religion is the earth, and my holy book is the sea.

The here and now, and contributing something positive with my physical presence, is all I have. For years, I thought about (marine) life and worried about the poor state of the oceans and reefs worldwide. But now I am on Bonaire to turn those thoughts into something positive. No more thinking, just doing.

Salt water flows through my veins — that is how deep my lifelong love for the ocean goes.

That is why I spend a lot of time on Bonaire. My sea-heart was bleeding and I could no longer just stand by and watch. The coral reefs here have been struggling for years. Last week, I took the Reef Renewal course — and what an experience. I learned so much: fragging and outplanting corals, cleaning nurseries, and diving into the theory. And yes… I passed. I am now officially a PADI Reef Renewal Diver.

A dream come true — and one that benefits us all. Because without healthy coral reefs, we are all in trouble. So: time to roll up my sleeves and literally do my part. It is desperately needed.

For those wondering why this concerns us all, a few facts:

• Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands.

• Coral is not a plant, but an animal.

• Coral reefs are the nursery of the ocean — the Amazon of the sea.

• Only 1% of the oceans consists of coral reefs, yet 25% of all marine life depends on them.

• Reefs worldwide — including those in Bonaire — are under severe pressure due to human activity.

• Climate change, pollution, diseases, and overfishing have thrown the ecosystem out of balance.

• Sea urchins, which normally eat away algae, have almost disappeared, causing corals to suffocate.

• Reefs protect the coast as natural breakwaters, just as dunes do in the Netherlands.

• They provide fish and income for local fishermen.

• Dive tourism is a major source of income for Bonaire — without reefs, jobs will also disappear.

• In the last 30 years, 50% of the world’s coral reefs have been lost. If we do nothing, there may be nothing left in 30 years.

• Many sunscreens are harmful to the sea, even if they claim to be “reef-friendly.” Choose wisely.

• Warming seawater causes bleaching: corals turn white and eventually die off.

That realization was the turning point for me. I was done with just watching or donating. I wanted to truly help.

So here I am. On Bonaire. Ready to get to work.

I am learning, working, planting corals, and helping to rebuild new reefs. And it works — I see it with my own eyes. But there is still so much to do. If we don’t act now, the reefs here will disappear completely.

I am now a volunteer at Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire and work underwater daily to make the world a little more beautiful — for us, and for the generations after us.

And yes — I am also still working as a voice-over artist.

I have a professional studio here and still deliver high-end audio quickly for TV, radio, and online. So: feel free to book me. While I work, I am simultaneously helping the reefs and marine life here.

Unfortunately, I (and my family) cannot live on volunteer work alone. But fortunately, I can combine both — with a positive mind and an aqua-green heart.

Want to know more about the Reef Renewal Foundation? Check it out here.  

Take care,
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