Gael Gaetjens

Co-founder, Executive Director

Gael firmly believes that a healthy natural environment is fundamental to the local economy and is a vital part of why people travel to destinations like Northern Haiti. He co-founded the Haiti Ocean Conservancy (formerly Amiga Island Ecological Foundation) with his brother Stephan to safeguard environmental resources and spread awareness about the critically endangered species of Haiti.

 

Stephan Gaetjens

Co-founder, Chief of Operations

Born and raised in Haiti, Stephan was introduced to the ocean at a very young age. Learning to dive from his grandfather Jean-Claude, Stephan witnessed the dramatic decline in local marine biodiversity and resolved to make a difference. Working with his brother Gael, he co-founded the Haiti Ocean Conservancy in 2015 in order to build awareness and start an active coral restoration project.

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Recently, we had a collaborative visit from one of our stakeholders, the Puntacana Foundation (@fundaciongrupopuntacana). They conducted a coral micro-fragmentation workshop to help us to grow our coral restoration program. . Micro-fragmentation is a
Those are some big brains! Brain coral is the common name usually given to corals in the families Mussidae and Mulinidae due to their resemblance to human brains. 📸 @island_diver . . . . . #reefaddict #reefbuilders #reefgeek #coralnerd #chasingcoral
This past week with the assistance of Royal Caribbean Labadee staff we moved 4 of our coral frames from the waters around Amiga Island to a new nursery site just offshore from where we launch our boat! . We are always having to think on our feet here
Check out this huge patch of Millepora complanata! This coral is commonly known as bladed fire coral due to the stinging sensation felt when it comes into contact with bare skin. . Common on Caribbean reefs, the corals ‘blades’ can reach
Here’s our intern Courtney monitoring out-planted corals at one of the reefs off Amiga Island. . We monitor all of our out-plant sites to determine the health and growth of the corals placed there! . . . . . #coralrestoration #savetheocean #sav
Here’s a picture of some brand new coral fragments placed on the reef off of Amiga Island in Northern Haiti! . We’ve out-planted over 1,000 coral fragments this year alone. . Want to help us restore the reefs? Head to the link in our bio
Where we’d rather be is under the sea! Here’s our co-founder Stephan setting up a new tree frame for our baby coral fragments. . Can you guess how many frames we have in our nurseries? . . . . . #coralrestoration #savetheocean #savetheoce
Amiga Island Ecological Foundation is now the HAITI OCEAN CONSERVANCY . New mission, new vision, same goal: protecting our oceans, one reef at a time. . At Haiti Ocean Conservancy we know that protecting the environment means protecting communities.
We’ve got a BIG announcement to make tomorrow! . Any guesses on what it could be? . . . . . 📷: @lordkasen for @amigaislandfoundation . #underwatermacro #scubadivingmag #diving_photography #underwater_world #underwaterlove #divingphotography #r
Check out this A-frame in one of our coral nurseries! . Here at AIEF we use two different structures in our nurseries to grow corals; a-frames and tree frames. . Want to help us grow corals and restore the reef? Head to the link in our bio to donate
We love seeing healthy colonies of Acropora cervicornis in the wild. . This is what we’re working to establish back on the reefs in Northern Haiti! . Want to get involved? Head to the link in our bio to donate or purchase essential supplies fro
Here’s a gorgeous close-up of orange cup coral (Tubastraea coccinea)! . Part of a group of large-polyp stony corals, these corals typically extend their tentacles to feed at night. . . . . 📷: @maxim.laroche . #amigaisland #haititourism #visith