FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Veteran sustainable-tourism educator will support regional partnerships, adoption, and resource mobilization for reef-positive marine tourism.
BRISTOL, United Kingdom — July 27, 2026 — The Reef-World Foundation has appointed Dr. Alex Brylske as Green Fins Development Lead – North America & Caribbean. In this role, Brylske will support development, stakeholder engagement, and funding mobilization to expand the implementation of the Green Fins initiative across the region.
Working in close coordination with The Reef-World Foundation, Brylske will engage governments, tourism authorities, dive training agencies, industry associations, marine conservation organizations, and prospective funding partners. His work will help establish practical regional pathways for the adoption of Green Fins, build local capacity, and strengthen demand for sustainable, reef-positive marine tourism.
“Green Fins offers a proven framework for turning the dive and marine tourism sector into a more effective force for coral reef conservation,” said Brylske. “I am honored to help advance that work across North America and especially in the Caribbean, where the health of coral reefs is central not only to biodiversity but also to livelihoods, community well-being, and the visitor experiences that sustain coastal economies. Our opportunity is to make sustainable practices a core part of how the dive industry delivers value.”
Brylske brings decades of experience in marine science, diver education, environmental interpretation, and sustainable tourism. He is the founder and president of Ocean Education International (OEI), a consulting and training organization that partners with dive operators, destinations, governments, and NGOs to align business performance, ocean stewardship, and social responsibility. OEI’s work emphasizes practical education, meaningful guest experiences, and stronger environmental leadership among tourism professionals.
A central element of Brylske’s work is ECO PRO, OEI’s professional-development program for the dive tourism industry. The program helps dive professionals and operators deepen their knowledge of coral reef ecology, environmental interpretation, citizen science, sustainable tourism, and conservation-oriented business practices. The goal is to help tourism businesses make sustainability a meaningful operational and market advantage while enhancing the quality of visitor experiences.
“Alex brings a rare combination of deep industry knowledge, practical sustainable tourism expertise, and a longstanding commitment to ocean education,” said Chloe Harvey, Executive Director of The Reef-World Foundation. “His experience developing professionals and helping tourism businesses connect conservation with stronger visitor experiences will be invaluable as Green Fins works with partners across North America and the Caribbean to create scalable pathways to reef protection.”
Under the mandate, Brylske will help identify and develop strategic partnerships, explore sustainable financing and grant opportunities, and position Green Fins within relevant frameworks for sustainable tourism, the blue economy, and coral reef conservation. The appointment supports the Green Fins Transformation Strategy, including efforts to strengthen financial, governance, delivery, and market transformation for sustainable marine tourism.
Green Fins is a global conservation initiative led by The Reef-World Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It provides environmental standards, assessments, training, and support to help marine tourism operators reduce their impacts on coral reefs and promote responsible diving and snorkeling practices.
About Dr. Alex Brylske
Dr. Alex Brylske is the founder and president of Ocean Education International, a Florida-based consulting and training organization focused on environmental education and professional development for the marine tourism sector. His work focuses on helping dive professionals, operators, and destinations align profitability with environmental awareness, social responsibility, and ocean conservation.
About The Reef-World Foundation and Green Fins
The Reef-World Foundation is an international conservation organization that leads Green Fins globally in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. Green Fins works with governments, marine tourism operators, and industry stakeholders to reduce the negative environmental impacts of diving and snorkeling and to support a more sustainable marine tourism sector.
Media contacts:
The Reef-World Foundation: reef-world.org
Ocean Education International: ocean-education-international.com