Protecting the Belize
Barrier Reef
FINS Foundation restores biodiversity & protects the Belize Barrier Reef through science-backed conservation, immersive education, & community-led action, turning every expedition & every donation into measurable reef impact.
Who We Are
FINS Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States, guided by an independent volunteer board.
Our mission is to restore biodiversity and protect the Belize Barrier Reef through innovation, education, and research, turning proven conservation ideas into on-the-water results.
We’re expanding programs, securing donor support, and building the infrastructure to scale impact, including an operations hub in Placencia and a dedicated field research and marine education caye.
Your support helps fuel science-backed reef protection, community-led stewardship, and the next generation of ocean advocates.
Why It Matters
The Belize Barrier Reef is in danger.
The Belize Barrier Reef – the world’s second largest – faces severe threats from coral degradation, invasive species, and biodiversity loss. These challenges endanger marine life, coastal communities, and livelihoods built on fishing and tourism.
CORAL LOSS
INVASIVE SPECIES
BIODIVERSITY DECLINE
Meet Our Team
Willie Caal
Conservation Director & Dive Instructor
Willie has spent more than a decade working on Belize’s reefs, developing deep expertise in marine conservation and dive instruction.
He has taught divers at every level, from beginners earning their Open Water certification to Divemasters and specialty courses.
Born and raised in Punta Gorda in a family of sustainable fishers, Willie brings local knowledge, scientific training, and a passion for protecting marine ecosystems to every trip.
Abby Porter
Executive Director & Dive Instructor
Abby oversees the vision, operations, and program development for FINS.
With a background in marketing and entrepreneurship, she combines leadership, logistics, and conservation expertise to create immersive experiences for guests.
She coordinates staff, develops protocols, and designs programs that educate and engage visitors while supporting the health of Belize’s reefs.
FINS Advisory Board
Julia Knoke
Advisor
Julia Knoke is a seasoned international marketing executive with +25 years experience in building cross-cultural B2B brands.
Julia actively contributes to her community as a start-up and export business mentor with San Diego Sports Innovators (SDSI) and the San Diego World Trade Center Export Council (SBDC).
Julia holds a Masters in International Business Marketing from Thunderbird and dual Bachelor’s degrees from Occidental College in Biology and German Literature. She is fluent in German, English, and Spanish.
Beverly Hacker
Advisor
Beverly is a business consultant with a background in public accounting, nonprofit management and business operations.
She spent more than 20 years managing a nonprofit organization and has served on the board of several others.
Currently, she consults on accounting, inventory and fundraising systems with small to mid-sized businesses all over the world.
Beverly holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri at St. Louis and a Masters in Media Literacy from Webster University.
Ryan Labrum
Advisor
Ryan is an accomplished architect and building industry professional with a mastery for design, management, finance and implementation of…
…large-scale, domestic and international projects.
He is also the President of the Board for the San Diego Chill, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching neuro-diverse children how to play ice hockey. Ryan is fluent in English and German.
Conservation & Environmental
Impact Projects
Lionfish Mitigation & Commerce
Lionfish are invasive predators that devastate reef ecosystems. We train local fishers and volunteer clients to remove them and transform catches into food, jewelry, and other products that benefit the local economy. We emphasize safe removal techniques to avoid harming coral or disrupting ecosystems, ensuring lionfish mitigation benefits the reef.
Sea Turtle Conservation
Protecting nesting beaches, monitoring turtle populations, and guiding hatchlings safely to the sea. We work with local partners to restore habitats and collect vital data. This ensures these endangered creatures have the best chance to survive.
Crab Mariculture
Caribbean Channel Clinging Crabs are bred and raised to support reef health and control algae. Volunteers help care for juveniles, collect data, and outplant crabs back onto the reef to restore balance and biodiversity.
Ocean Advocacy & Education
Safeguarding Belize’s UNESCO reef through monitoring, eco-friendly practices, and community education. Our programs tackle plastic pollution, coral bleaching, and biodiversity loss while inspiring advocacy and action to protect ocean resilience.
Your generosity strengthens ocean conservation in Belize, advancing research, restoration, and community programs to safeguard the Barrier Reef for generations to come.
Partners & Affiliates
Proudly collaborating with organizations that share our commitment to marine conservation.
FINS Belize
Creates jewelry from lionfish fins, produces pet treats, and leads school, community, and visitor education through integrated programs.
Bright Water Climate
Protects sea turtle habitats through nest monitoring, hatchling rescue, and education.
Healthy Reefs for Healthy People
Healthy Reefs is partnering with us on a king crab mariculture project, raising juvenile crabs on our island to restore reef populations. Our conservation permit is jointly held and reflects our shared commitment to ecosystem recovery.
Pezzy Pets
We work with small-scale fishermen to turn the invasive lionfish species we catch in our lionfish mitigation programs into sustainable, healthy pet treats.
