Blue Water Heroes
In collaboration with Tatler Gen.T, this event is specially curated to support, promote, and inspire fearless and passionate eco-champions to push the boundaries of marine conservation in their communities.
3 NOVEMBER
This platform provides a space for young eco-champions to pitch their ideas to our generous sponsors for funding and resources to further implement their conservation projects and efforts for the ocean.
3 NOVEMBER
This platform provides a space for courageous eco-champions to pitch their ideas to our generous sponsors for funding and resources to further implement their conservation projects and efforts for the ocean
Blue Water Heroes Awards Dinner
3 Nov (Fri), 7pm – 10pm
Event Highlights:
– Sustainable dining experience
– Inspiring initiatives by 10 SEA award finalists
– Moving stories by youth members of the Ocean Geographic Antarctic Climate Expedition
– Exclusive live auction with highly coveted items
Welcome Video Address By
Dr Sylvia Earle
TIME Magazine’s First Hero of the Planet
Piano Performance By
Hillary Yifei O’Sullivan
Blue Water Heroes Awards 2023
The Blue Water Heroes Awards, one of the highlights of the event, celebrated and recognised individuals who have made substantial contributions to marine conservation. Ten finalists were honoured for their fearless efforts in driving positive change, and among the ten, Tom Peacock, founder of the Seven Clean Seas came in first place, with Oh Chu Xian, the founder of Magorium, coming in as the first runner-up and Anna Oposa, Executive Director and Chief Mermaid, Save Philippine Seas coming in as second runner up.
Highlights from the first edition of our Blue Water Heroes Awards, powered by Tatler Gen.T.
Blue Water Heroes 2023 Finalists
Oh Chu Xian
Founder, Magorium & M-Impact
Oh Chu Xian is the Founder of Magorium & M-Impact in Singapore. In 2019, she established Magorium, a pioneering initiative that converts discarded plastic waste into NEWBitumen, a sustainable alternative to oil-based bitumen for road construction. Magorium has diverted more than 8,000 kilograms of plastic waste from incineration, contributing significantly to waste reduction. Additionally, Chu Xian founded M-Impact, focusing on youth environmental literacy programs. She is passionately committed to elevating Singapore's plastic recycling rate from 4% to at least 35% by 2025, working towards a cleaner environment and waters.
Anna Oposa
Executive Director and Chief Mermaid, Save Philippine Seas
Anna Oposa work centers on shark conservation, waste management, circular economy practices, and environmental education. She played a pivotal role in establishing the first Philippine shark sanctuary and securing national protection for critically endangered thresher sharks. Anna initiated the Sea and Earth Advocates (SEA) Camp to train marine conservationists in Southeast Asia, launched the Waste Watchers program to reduce single-use plastics, and leads the Shark Shelter Project protecting thresher sharks near Monad Shoal. Despite Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, these sharks continue to attract divers, contributing to the island's revitalization.
Gary Bencheghib
Co-founder, Sungai Watch
Gary Bencheghib serves as the Co-founder of Sungai Watch in Indonesia, operating under the Make A Change World organization. Established in 2019 with his siblings Kelly and Sam Bencheghib, Sungai Watch is dedicated to combatting plastic pollution in Indonesia's rivers. They have successfully collected one million kilograms of plastic waste in Bali and utilized data to enhance waste management on Java Island.
Mathilda D’silva
CEO & Founder, Ocean Purpose Project
Mathilda D'silva is the CEO and Founder of the Ocean Purpose Project (OPP) based in Singapore. Her journey in conservation began in 2015 after experiencing polluted waters in the Philippines and being diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. OPP, established in 2020, has made substantial progress, collecting over 7,017.5 kilograms of plastic waste, planting 380 seaweed-mussel lines, and identifying 20 seaweed species in Pasir Ris. They promote behavioural change through community projects, converting ocean plastics into fuel and hydrogen, and using seaweed for biofiltration. Collaborating with NTU research partner Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, OPP aims to create an ocean plastic to hydrogen hub. D'silva was the official SailGP Singapore Impact Partner in 2023 and partnered with organizations for mangrove clean-up on World Clean Up Day.
Swietenia Puspa Lestari
Founder and Executive Director, Divers Clean Action
Swietenia Puspa Lestari, Founder and Executive Director of Divers Clean Action (DCA) in Indonesia, leads a youth-driven organization combating marine debris in small islands and coastal areas. DCA, part of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA), engages in global initiatives like the Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit. Notably, Swietenia established Indonesia's first coastal and marine waste database and promotes community-based research. DCA's SOSIS program targets zero waste islands in Kepulauan Seribu through community engagement and waste separation. They collaborate with universities, government agencies, and industry partners, while also initiating the #NoStrawMovement to reduce single-use plastic straw consumption. In 2021, DCA conducted 27 cleanups, involving 500 volunteers, significantly reducing waste, including single-use plastics, and informing the 2025 Waste Management Action Plan for Kepulauan Seribu.
Made Mertaekales (Pak Eka)
Founder, Mina Bhakti Segara Lestari
Made Mertaekales, also known as Pak Eka, is the Founder of Mina Bhakti Segara Lestari, a community organization in Bali. Formerly involved in destructive cyanide fishing, Pak Eka transitioned to sustainable netting in 2002, saving coral reefs. He led reef restoration efforts by installing structures and coral plantings. Collaborating with the ecotourism industry since 2012, he funds reef building and educates visitors, schools, and universities. An innovative reef designer, educator, and community leader, Pak Eka secured funding without grants or donors. He partnered with the National University of Singapore on the STARR program, introducing coral table nurseries for education and inspiring workshops on reef rehabilitation in various locations.
Jessica Novia
Founder, Carbon Ethics and Bumi Journey
Jessica Novia, Founder of CarbonEthics (CE) and Bumi Journey (BJ) in Jakarta, Indonesia, leads initiatives for climate restoration and environmental education. CE focuses on blue carbon conservation in coastal habitats, and BJ offers experiential learning trips involving mangrove and coral planting with local communities. Jessica's vision emphasizes a quadruple bottom line principle where economy, environment, social, and spirituality coexist. CE, founded in 2019, has planted over 70,000 blue carbon seeds, sequestering five million kilograms of CO2e, and increasing local farmers' income by 22 percent. In total, they've planted 77,300 biota, including 6,852 mangroves and 349 corals. Jessica Novia is also an impact investor dedicated to climate balance and community prosperity.
Alvin Chelliah
Chief Program Manager, Reef Check Malaysia
Alvin Chelliah, the Conservation Manager at Reef Check Malaysia, is a dedicated marine biologist leading the Cintai Tioman initiative on Tioman Island, Malaysia. His work focuses on building social and ecological resilience on the island, encompassing educational programs in local schools, empowering communities in coral reef conservation, and promoting responsible tourism. Alvin played a pivotal role in founding the Tioman Marine Conservation Group (TMCG), which has grown from five to 25 active members, trained in reef monitoring, ghostnet removal, and coral rehabilitation. TMCG, now a registered company, collaborates closely with the Department of Fisheries Malaysia and is recognized as local reef caretakers. Alvin is committed to achieving IUCN Green List certification for Tioman Island Marine Park, aiming to gain global recognition for its biodiversity and enhance community participation in natural resource management.
Tom Peacock-Nazil
Founder & CEO, Seven Clean Seas
Tom Peacock-Nazil, the Founder and CEO of Seven Clean Seas, leads impactful beach cleaning efforts across several countries, mobilizing over 3,800 volunteers to recover more than 50,000 kilograms of plastic waste. His organization's holistic solutions for measuring, reducing, and offsetting plastic footprints have made a substantial difference. In 2022, Seven Clean Seas cleared a remarkable 459,722 kilograms of plastic from Indonesian coastlines, a 138 percent increase from the previous year, reaching a milestone of 1 million kilograms. Tom collaborates with global initiatives like the United Environment Programme (UNEP) and the 3R initiative to drive zero-waste leadership. He's also expanding into regional waste management and plastic recovery technology to prevent further ocean pollution.
Kong Man Jing
Co-founder, Just Keep Thinking
Kong Man Jing, also known as BiogirlMJ and Co-founder of "Just Keep Thinking" in Singapore, is a passionate advocate for environmental conservation. Through her social media channel, she uses quirky illustrations to simplify and explain the science behind environmental issues, such as pollution, marine ecosystems, human-wildlife conflicts, and plastic pollution. Her unique approach has resonated with a diverse audience, including children, the elderly, schools, and green organizations. Kong Man Jing actively collaborates with various green groups to engage the community through campaigns, videos, road shows, and beach cleanups. She also serves as a nature guide, raising awareness about ethical treatment of marine creatures and contributing to the protection of marine invertebrates in collaboration with NParks. Her dedication extends to guiding underprivileged youths and youths-at-risk, sharing her knowledge of Singapore's natural world.Winners of Blue Water Heroes 2023
1st Place: Tom Peacock-Nazil
Founder & CEO, Seven Clean Seas
Tom Peacock-Nazil, the Founder and CEO of Seven Clean Seas, leads impactful beach cleaning efforts across several countries, mobilizing over 3,800 volunteers to recover more than 50,000 kilograms of plastic waste. His organization’s holistic solutions for measuring, reducing, and offsetting plastic footprints have made a substantial difference. In 2022, Seven Clean Seas cleared a remarkable 459,722 kilograms of plastic from Indonesian coastlines, a 138 percent increase from the previous year, reaching a milestone of 1 million kilograms. Tom collaborates with global initiatives like the United Environment Programme (UNEP) and the 3R initiative to drive zero-waste leadership. He’s also expanding into regional waste management and plastic recovery technology to prevent further ocean pollution.
2nd Place: Oh Chu Xian
Founder, Magorium & M-Impact
Oh Chu Xian is the Founder of Magorium & M-Impact in Singapore. In 2019, she established Magorium, a pioneering initiative that converts discarded plastic waste into NEWBitumen, a sustainable alternative to oil-based bitumen for road construction. Magorium has diverted more than 8,000 kilograms of plastic waste from incineration, contributing significantly to waste reduction. Additionally, Chu Xian founded M-Impact, focusing on youth environmental literacy programs. She is passionately committed to elevating Singapore’s plastic recycling rate from 4% to at least 35% by 2025, working towards a cleaner environment and waters.
3rd Place: Anna Oposa
Executive Director and Chief Mermaid, Save Philippine Seas
Anna Oposa work centers on shark conservation, waste management, circular economy practices, and environmental education. She played a pivotal role in establishing the first Philippine shark sanctuary and securing national protection for critically endangered thresher sharks. Anna initiated the Sea and Earth Advocates (SEA) Camp to train marine conservationists in Southeast Asia, launched the Waste Watchers program to reduce single-use plastics, and leads the Shark Shelter Project protecting thresher sharks near Monad Shoal. Despite Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, these sharks continue to attract divers, contributing to the island’s revitalization.
Panel of Judges
Presenting 2023 panel of judges for the upcoming Blue Water Heroes Awards
Arthur Tay
Chairman & CEO, SUTL Group
Paul Foster
Entertainment Personality & Environmentalist
Christine Amour-Levar
Founder & CEO, HER Planet Earth
Co-Founder, Investors for Climate
Janet Shum
Sustainable Investing Specialist, APAC, Citi Global Wealth
Chong Seow Wei
Regional Senior Editor, Tatler Gen.T
Dr. Winston Chow
Associate Professor of Urban Climate, Singapore Management University
Dr. Toh Tai Chong
Senior Lecturer, National University of Singapore
Arthur Tay
Chairman & CEO, SUTL Group
Paul Foster
Entertainment Personality & Environmentalist
Christine Amour-Levar
Founder & CEO, HER Planet Earth
Co-Founder, Investors for Climate
Janet Shum
Sustainable Investing Specialist, APAC, Citi Global Wealth
Chong Seow Wei
Regional Senior Editor, Tatler Gen.T
Dr. Winston Chow
Associate Professor of Urban Climate, Singapore Management University
Dr. Toh Tai Chong
Senior Lecturer, National University of Singapore
