Aviv Brenner

Former Coral Gardeners team member Aviv Brenner discusses ocean connection, building blue economy partnerships, and why every skillset is needed to save our reefs.

16 August 2026 4 min read By admin

Ocean Connection, The Blue Economy, and Reef Restoration

“The ocean needs people with diverse talents, motivations, and backgrounds, not just marine biologists or oceanographers. With your perfectly individual mindset, you can bring something new to ocean conservation that will change people’s minds.” – Aviv Brenner

Saving the ocean requires more than just scientific research; it demands creative business models, local community engagement, and scalable funding mechanisms. We sat down with Aviv Brenner to explore his work with Coral Gardeners, the birth of the “We The Reef” initiative, and how every individual – regardless of background – can find their place in ocean conservation.

The Interview

Can you introduce yourself and your background in ocean conservation?

Aviv: My name is Aviv Brenner. During my time with Coral Gardeners, I handled various aspects of fundraising, including running e-commerce channels, driving corporate partnerships, and managing conversation-focused fundraising.

My responsibilities ranged from organising activation events alongside the World Surf League to building coral nurseries and technology for our restoration team.

What motivates you to prioritise the conservation and protection of the oceans?

Aviv: On a personal level, the ocean provides me with a sense of peace and clarity. She keeps me humble and keeps me in a calm state of mind, sparking endless curiosity and pushing me into a flow state.

For the world at large, the ocean holds incredible power, information, and opportunities to learn how to live harmoniously with our planet. The ocean remains entirely unknown to most people, but there are beautiful secrets hidden below the surface. Being a student of the ocean has shown me how I can make a real difference in the world.

How have you contributed directly to the betterment of the oceans?

Aviv: When I joined Coral Gardeners, I began by managing their e-commerce stores – selling bracelets and t-shirts tied directly to education and coral restoration efforts.

Over time, I identified a larger opportunity and created a program called “We The Reef.” The goal was to build an ecosystem to take financial care of coral reefs forever by uniting ocean-driven businesses in the Blue Economy. By having companies donate a percentage of sales and educate their customers, we combined localized business revenue with a global mission to protect coral reefs.

How can the surfing industry play a active role in supporting ocean health?

Aviv: A great example was our collaboration with the World Surf League. They made a direct donation to Coral Gardeners that funded a restoration nursery at Teahupo’o – a place of immense spiritual and economic importance for the people of French Polynesia.

This collaboration brought professional surfers into workshops with local children to protect the reef they all respect. It was broadcast on the live feed and amplified through major publications, setting a strong standard for industry action.