Jolyon Collier - Counting Coral
11/21/22 • 79 min
Jolyon Collier, the visionary behind Counting Coral, has forged a unique path that intertwines conservation, art, and business acumen. As the founder of this groundbreaking not-for-profit organization, Jolyon is on a mission to bridge the gap between various stakeholders including conservationists, artists, corporations, tourists, and local communities, all united in the cause of preserving our precious coral reefs.
His journey began in the world of business, where he achieved remarkable success in the construction industry, amassing wealth and recognition. However, his true passion lay beneath the ocean's surface. Starting as a surfer, Jolyon's exploration led him to become a videographer and eventually a diver, all the while nurturing his love for the sea.
Venturing to Fiji with surfboard and camera in hand, Jolyon found himself captivated by more than just the waves. The allure of the reefs drew him in, sparking a fascination that would shape the course of his life. It was during an adventurous dive off the coast of Malibu that Jolyon had a humorous yet fateful introduction to the underwater world, igniting a passion that has since defined his existence.
Despite his flourishing career in construction, Jolyon's heart remained with the reefs. Eventually, he embraced an early retirement, redirecting his focus to the conservation of these vital ecosystems. Thus, Counting Coral was born.
At the forefront of Counting Coral's initiatives is the development of Sculptural Coral Banks, an innovative approach to coral restoration and growth. These structures not only provide support for coral propagation but also serve as stunning artistic installations. Carefully selected corals from local reefs are nurtured on these sculptures before being reintroduced to their natural habitats, ensuring sustainability and biodiversity.
Led by Jolyon and his team of dedicated scientists, divers, and conservationists, Counting Coral actively installs these sculptures and oversees the coral propagation process. Beyond conservation efforts, the initiative has significant economic and social impacts. Partnering with local resorts, Counting Coral creates new tourist attractions while promoting envir
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Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba
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Jolyon Collier, the visionary behind Counting Coral, has forged a unique path that intertwines conservation, art, and business acumen. As the founder of this groundbreaking not-for-profit organization, Jolyon is on a mission to bridge the gap between various stakeholders including conservationists, artists, corporations, tourists, and local communities, all united in the cause of preserving our precious coral reefs.
His journey began in the world of business, where he achieved remarkable success in the construction industry, amassing wealth and recognition. However, his true passion lay beneath the ocean's surface. Starting as a surfer, Jolyon's exploration led him to become a videographer and eventually a diver, all the while nurturing his love for the sea.
Venturing to Fiji with surfboard and camera in hand, Jolyon found himself captivated by more than just the waves. The allure of the reefs drew him in, sparking a fascination that would shape the course of his life. It was during an adventurous dive off the coast of Malibu that Jolyon had a humorous yet fateful introduction to the underwater world, igniting a passion that has since defined his existence.
Despite his flourishing career in construction, Jolyon's heart remained with the reefs. Eventually, he embraced an early retirement, redirecting his focus to the conservation of these vital ecosystems. Thus, Counting Coral was born.
At the forefront of Counting Coral's initiatives is the development of Sculptural Coral Banks, an innovative approach to coral restoration and growth. These structures not only provide support for coral propagation but also serve as stunning artistic installations. Carefully selected corals from local reefs are nurtured on these sculptures before being reintroduced to their natural habitats, ensuring sustainability and biodiversity.
Led by Jolyon and his team of dedicated scientists, divers, and conservationists, Counting Coral actively installs these sculptures and oversees the coral propagation process. Beyond conservation efforts, the initiative has significant economic and social impacts. Partnering with local resorts, Counting Coral creates new tourist attractions while promoting envir
Do you have feedback or an opinion to share with us? SMS us now.
Love the show?
Reviews help us grow and let us know you're listening - If you can spare two minutes, please leave a review here.
Want to be a guest on the show?
GREAT! - use this link, drop your details & let's get chatting.
Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba
Everyone needs a solid travel buddy... Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he’s a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!
ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.
🎵 Music: Forever Young by the legend - AudioCoffee | AudioCoffee.net
Previous Episode
Michael Menduno - The Godfather of Tech Diving Journalism
Michael Menduno has been diving and reporting on technical diving since 1990 when he founded the AquaCORPS magazine and its sister publication Technical Diver. A reporter, technologist and member of the Board of Directors for the historical diver's society, Michael is the editor-in-chief of Global Underwater Explorers online magazine InDEPTH. He is also a contributing editor for Dan Europe's ALERT DIVER and X-ray magazine, and he also writes for DEEPER BLUE. To top it off, Michael also worked with Captain Billy Dean to set up the first tech diving centre, based in Key West, which rapidly became a global mecca for tech diver training.
Michael is also the organiser of the Rebreather Forum, with the latest conference being RF4 (20-22 April 2023). Held in Malta, the Rebreather Forum has a stellar line-up of presenters including Mark Caney, Brian Carney or designee, Simon Caruana, John Clarke, David Doolette, Vince Ferris, Oscar Franberg, Timmy Gambin, Kevin Gurr, Richard Harris, Paul Haynes, Gareth Lock, Alessandro Marroni, Michael Menduno, Simon Mitchell, Andy Pitkin, Neal Pollock, Frauke Tillmans, and Paul Toomer. So if there is anything you ever wanted to know about rebreather diving, this is the place to be.
Topics of conversation
- Michael's background in diving
- The origins of the term "Tech Diver"
- Rebreather Forum origins and Rebreather 4
- Michael's first breaths underwater to technical diver
- Historical overview of tech diving
- The origins of AquaCORPS and InDEPTH magazines
- The background of Michael and Captain Billy Dean
- The passage of information prior to computers
- PADI joins the tech chat
- The bridging of the gap between recreational and technical diving
- The importance of Human Factors in diving
- Close Calls, authored by Stratis S Kas (Amazon link)
- 'Stoned' with Bill Stone - A harp back to the early days of reporting
- What's next for Michael?
- Links and exit.
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Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba
Everyone needs a solid travel buddy... Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he’s a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!
ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.
🎵 Music: Forever Young by the legend - AudioCoffee | AudioCoffee.net
Next Episode
Josh Richards - The Engelbrechts east extension, Mount Gambia
Josh Richards may not have decades of caving experience under his belt, however what he does have is a love for Wombats and the desire to act like one at times. Joking aside, Josh's thirst for adventure started whilst diving as a kid with his father, continuing into a military career as a soldier and Royal Marine, a comedian, a science geek, and even as a candidate with a one way ticket to inhabit Mars!
Josh talks openly about his journey through life and its various stages leading up to his discoveries with his dive wife, Matt Aisbett and in detail about the discovery itself. The Engelbrechts east extension.
Englebrechts cave history
1865 - Originally described in a publication by Julian Tenison-Woods, the cave system was referred to as Vansittarts cave.
1885 - Carl Engelbrecht's purchase of a flour mill located nearby, which he converted into a whiskey distillery (good man!) used the cave as a dumping ground for his waste products. This led to the cave system being referred to as the Engelbrecht cave.
1929 - the land on which the cave is located was purchased by the then District Council and the cave was sealed off.
1969 - The council invites expressions of interest to open the cave for potential tourism. Reportedly, it was not suitable for tourist development and remained shut.
1979 - The Lions Club of Mount Gambier commenced a project to beautify the cave to the tune of $10,000
1995 - Engelbrecht Cave was added to the South Australian Heritage Register
2019 - Dive buddies Matthew Aisbett and Josh Richards mooch around the end of the east cave system and find access to an enormous previously undiscovered cave system running under the centre of town.
2022 - Josh joins me on the show to reflect on many of his life adventures and what is now known as the Engelbrechts east extension.
Do you have feedback or an opinion to share with us? SMS us now.
Love the show?
Reviews help us grow and let us know you're listening - If you can spare two minutes, please leave a review here.
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GREAT! - use this link, drop your details & let's get chatting.
Dive Travel with Nomadic Scuba
Everyone needs a solid travel buddy... Founded by Matt, Nomadic Scuba is an online booking agency for scuba divers. Chances are, Matt himself will sort out your trip - he’s a bit of a planning geek (and loves it!). Check out Nomadic Scuba today and Breathe life into your adventure!
ShoppingScuba GOAT Amazon Shop - Click here to viewAdvertisingInterested in advertising on the show? Sponsoring an episode or partnering with us? Get in touch today for more details on how we can work together.
🎵 Music: Forever Young by the legend - AudioCoffee | AudioCoffee.net
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