Our story
Born from a love of the ocean
"We started Name Your Reef because we believe the best way to protect something is to give people a personal stake in it."
How it began
A dive that changed everything
In 2018, our founder Dr. Maya Chen surfaced from a dive on a reef she had visited a decade earlier — and found it unrecognizable. The coral was bleached, the fish were gone, and the silence was deafening. She knew something had to change.
The idea was simple: if people could name a reef — dedicate it to someone they love — they would care about it. They would tell their friends. They would come back to dive it. And the funds raised would go directly to deploying and monitoring new artificial reef structures.
Six years later, we've deployed 247 reefs across 12 ocean locations, supported over 1,400 marine species, and created 38 acres of new habitat. Every reef has a name. Every name has a story.
What drives us
Our mission
To restore ocean biodiversity by creating permanent artificial reef habitats — and to connect people to the ocean through meaningful, lasting dedications.
Science-led
Every reef structure we deploy is designed by marine biologists and engineered for maximum habitat complexity and longevity.
People-powered
Our reef dedications fund the work directly. No corporate grants, no government subsidies — just people who love the ocean.
Transparent impact
We publish annual dive survey data for every reef we deploy. You can see exactly how your reef is growing.
Global reach
From the Caribbean to the Coral Triangle, we work with local dive operators and conservation groups in every location.
The people behind the reefs
Meet our team
Dr. Maya Chen
Founder & Marine Biologist
PhD in Marine Ecology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 20 years studying reef systems across the Indo-Pacific.
James Okafor
Director of Reef Operations
Master dive instructor and reef restoration specialist. Has personally supervised the deployment of over 180 reef structures.
Sofia Reyes
Head of Conservation Science
Leads our annual dive survey program and publishes peer-reviewed research on artificial reef colonization rates.
By the numbers
Our impact so far
247
Reefs deployed
Across 12 ocean locations worldwide
1,400+
Marine species
Documented across our reef network
38 acres
New habitat
Of permanent marine habitat created
6 years
In operation
Of continuous reef monitoring and deployment
