Our mission to create awareness and foster that next generation of ocean stewards continued on March 23 at Maloney High School. The environmental studies class has been studying about the aquatic environment and recently focused on coral reefs. To reinforce the value, diversity and threats to the coral reefs, Jeff provided a presentation on “Exploring the Coral Reef”. 

The session began with a brief overview of the value of coral reefs and the life that lives on them. From there, the students were taken on a journey from the reefs of Hawaii, to the incredible life in the Gulf of California. The next stop were the coral reefs of the Cayman Islands and finally, we ended in the Philippines in the Coral Triangle. By providing a glimpse into the incredible life that is dependent on a healthy and vibrant reef, the students gained a better appreciation of why it is important to protect these ecosystems.

We know that coral reefs are under threat and the session wrapped up with the threats they are facing including climate change, disease and predation. The students were shown a series of photographs of bleached coral, coral that was impacted by disease and how predators destroy them. Using a 3D model, Jeff demonstrated how a polyp reacts when the water gets too warm.

In addition to the presentation, the class also had the chance to look at 3D models of various types of corals from around the world. The 3D models were created from photographs that Jeff took in the Caymans and the Philippines.

Special thanks to the staff at Maloney High School for inviting us to present to the class and for their continued support of SEA-CT.

​

The results of the recently completed Diving Equipment and Marketing Association's (DEMA) board of directors election are in and Jeff has been re-elected to a second three-year term (2026 - 2028). The DEMA Board is comprised of ten dive industry professionals representing five different stakeholder groups. SEA-CT is a A-3 DEMA member comprised of Dive Publishing, Media, Consulting and Non-Retail Service Providers. As a non-profit organization, SEA-CT falls under the non-retail service segment. You can check out the entire board of directors here.

Jeff previously term on the DEMA Board of Directors was under the A-4 Retailers category having been elected in 2023 when he was the owner of Scuba Shack Diving Services.

The Board is responsible for guiding this international, non-profit trade association with the mission of bringing businesses together to grow the dive industry worldwide. DEMA owns and produces the DEMAShow, an annual trade-only event for businesses in the scuba diving, action watersports, and adventure/dive travel industries.

In addition to his role on the Board, Jeff has also participated in several DEMA committees including the Retailer Engagement and Show Committees. He has also been a presenter at the annual show.

​The 2026 DEMA SHow will take place November 3-6, 2026 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.