Year Dive Certified: 1997Age When Certified: 15Dive Certification Level: InstructorWords To Live By: “When one, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, they have no right to keep it to themselves.” —Jacques Cousteau
Establishing MPAs in his home country of Sint Maarten tops the list for Tadzio Bervoets’ most satisfying moments, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg on a long list of conservation accomplishments. Incentivizing fishermen in Africa to become marine park rangers and co-founding the Caribbean Shark Coalition are also among his favorite projects. He also supports conservation organizations as the director of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. For his determination and conservation work throughout the Caribbean, Bervoets is our August Sea Hero.