A CARIBBEAN REEF CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION

Witnesses from the Field

We are Nadi and Patrick —divers, sailors, and conservation-minded citizens— who spend much of our time underwater in the Caribbean. Over years of diving, we repeatedly witnessed the same pattern: invasive lionfish becoming more common, while native reef fish grew noticeably scarcer.

These observations were not isolated. They appeared across sites and over time, pointing to a broader ecological imbalance. Turn The Tide (TTT) emerged from this firsthand experience, and from the decision to act on what we were witnessing by combining direct lionfish removal with documentation, collaboration, and transparency.

We are not distant observers of this issue. We encounter it dive after dive, and TTT exists as a direct response to that reality.

Years of underwater observation leave no room for indifference

Lionfish are an invasive species that threaten reef ecosystems

From the Water, Not an Office

Turn The Tide (TTT) reflects who we are and the choices that shape our lives today

We are long-time divers and liveaboard sailors who chose to reorganize our lives around the sea.

I have been diving for over 20 years, exclusively in the Caribbean. Over time, I developed strong underwater navigation skills, allowing us to survey sites methodically and cover reef areas in a structured and repeatable way rather than randomly.

Patrick was introduced to scuba diving eight years ago. Since then, he has become a highly skilled diver and lionfish hunter. After nearly 4,000 removals, his approach is precise, efficient, and responsible. Each fish is dispatched immediately upon capture to minimize suffering. For us, lionfish control is not sport—it is intervention carried out with care.

We are recreationally certified divers, but deeply committed to solid technique: neutral buoyancy, no contact with the reef, no fin kicks on the bottom, and calm, deliberate movements. Underwater, our roles are complementary. Patrick hunts. I spot, navigate, and document. This allows us to work efficiently while remaining attentive to the surrounding ecosystem.

Life at sea was Patrick’s long-standing dream. I had never sailed before this journey, but the possibility of diving regularly made it a challenge worth embracing.

In November 2023, we sold everything in Canada and moved aboard Panterita, our solar- and wind-powered catamaran. Purchased and refitted in Puerto Rico, she has carried us down the Caribbean island chain. Our crew also includes Pookie, a former street kitten from Guadeloupe who quickly made herself at home and developed a clear fondness for lionfish.

TTT is currently driven by Patrick and me, with the support of Patrick’s daughter, Amélie, who is based in Montreal.

From the beginning, our goal has been to grow beyond ourselves by connecting everyone who cares about these ecosystems—community members, biologists, decision-makers, and supporters alike.

How We Work

Consistency, care, and accountability guide our approach

TTT is built around consistent, repeatable field work rather than isolated actions. We focus on:

• doing fewer things well,

• documenting what we do,

• and adapting our approach as conditions change.

Lionfish removal is carried out with care and purpose. Where permitted and appropriate, culled lionfish are shared with local fishers, community members, or other boaters for consumption. Encouraging local use helps increase interest in continued control efforts and reduces waste.

We also take an ecosystem-based approach underwater. When individuals are too small for consumption, they may be left on site, allowing natural reef scavengers such as morays, lobsters, and snappers to feed. This helps return nutrients to the ecosystem while minimizing unnecessary handling.

Our work is grounded in respect—for marine life, for local knowledge, and for the complexity of ecosystems. We aim to minimize disturbance, remain transparent about our methods, and acknowledge both the benefits and limits of lionfish control.

See how this approach translates into concrete results

By staying lean, field-based and collaborative, TTT aims to remain a trusted partner for local communities, researchers and conservation practitioners.