Reefs Unknown

A logo with an orange coral-like symbol above the words "REEFS UNKNOWN" in light blue text on a dark blue background.

I cofounded Reefs Unknown to fill a gap.

In the US Virgin Islands, most people are familiar with the degraded nearshore reefs. Few are privileged to witness the expansive coral banks just a few miles offshore. These deeper mesophotic (“middle-light”) reefs are frequently ignored or completely unknown to science. Some are known only to the fishers who know where the catch is good. These deeper reefs cover nearly twice the area of shallow reefs in the USVI, so how could they be so poorly understood and under-managed?

The answer is lack of access. Divers require extensive training to safely reach the mesophotic zone, and these reefs are often far from shore in exposed conditions.

We created Reefs Unknown to help bridge this gap. With our extensive experience working in this type of environment, we can ease the difficulty and work with our partners to complete research and provide management recommendations.

Visit our website to learn more.

A rebreather scuba diver swimming above a mesophotic coral reef with two fish near coral.
Close-up of colorful mesophotic coral with shades of purple, pink, and blue, featuring bubble-like polyps and fluorescent tips.
A scuba diver exploring coral reef underwater in Panama, surrounded by small fish.
Two scuba divers from below with a boat visible above them in the background.
A colorful Nassau grouper with brown and tan stripes resting on the coral reef floor.
A white fishing boat with seafoam-colored bottom, floating on calm water near a harbor with other boats and a hilly landscape in the background.
A scuba diver exploring a coral reef underwater in Panama with various coral formations and small fish swimming nearby.
A scuba diver swimming near a large coral formation underwater on a mesophotic coral reef.
A scuba diver underwater with a video camera and light pointed down, examining a mesophotic coral reef.