Head Office
REEFSCAPERS
H.Portside (2nd floor)
Bodufungandu Magu
Malé, Maldives
Contact Us
Tel: +960 333-1626
Reefscapers History
Reefscapers is an independent marine consultation company that aims to restore coral reefs in the Maldives and worldwide. It was founded by Thomas Le Berre and Marie Saleem, a couple passionate about the underwater world and in love with the beauty and mystery of coral reefs.
Thomas created ‘Seamarc’ in 2000, now known as ‘Reefscapers’. He first performed audits and environmental impact assessments for multiple projects in the Maldives, from port development to coastal management. However, Thomas quickly realised that coral reefs were being negatively impacted by development and climate change, so decided to explore methods to restore and protect them.
Following several years of researching various techniques, Thomas developed the revolutionary and pioneering coral frame technique that has now been adopted by various coral conservation groups worldwide.
Reefscapers Expansion
Thomas partnered with Four Seasons in 2006 to develop coral propagation programs at Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa. Marine activities were developed, and our Marine Discovery Centres were among the first to open in the Maldives, including the pioneering Fish Lab (set up to breed Maldivian Clownfish in captivity).
Increased guest awareness grew our coral frame sponsorship program, which includes regular monitoring and photography of the growing coral frames, to expand into the largest of its type in the world.
Over the years, Reefscapers has developed partnerships with various resorts around the Maldives, and we have now transplanted more than 8000 coral frames into the ocean, representing half a million individual coral fragments. We have an international team of up to 20 full-time marine biologists resident in the Maldives, with expertise in coral propagation, marine aquaculture, turtle conservation & medicine.
In 2020, Reefscapers partnered with Sheraton Maldives and the Maldivian Government to create what is now believed to be the largest man-made coral structure in the Maldives. For 2 months, Thomas and a team of dedicated marine biologists worked tirelessly to relocate healthy corals from Gulhi Falhu industrial zone, to give them a second chance on our coral frames (photo).
Reefscapers is looking to expand in the Maldives and grow its network internationally, to keep restoring coral reefs around the world, giving future generations the chance to see the beauty of coral reefs with their own eyes.
Interested in working with us ? Get in touch !
Marie Saleem (co-founder & director)
After schooling in the Himalayas, Marie worked for the Maldivian Government as a trainee Marine Biologist and Marine Research Assistant. Following a Marine Science scholarship at James Cook University (Australia), Marie gained a Master’s in Protected Area Management.
Marie worked as a Reef Ecologist at the Maldivian Government’s Marine Research Centre from 1993 to 2009. One of her many projects was the management of shark and aquarium fisheries, and she remains passionately involved with shark conservation to this day. Together with the Pew Environment Group, Marie helped to establish the shark sanctuary in the Maldives, and worked on the Valuation of Biodiversity undertaken by IUCN.
Marie is now a respected international consultant, working on shark conservation with a team of NGOs around the world. The ‘Global Shark Campaign‘ helps governments implement management measures to protect sharks and rays.
Thomas Le Berre (co-founder & director)
French coastal oceanographer and founder of Maldivian environmental consultancy Reefscapers, Thomas has been spearheading the environmental projects in the Maldives since the year 2000.
In 1992, Thomas obtained the Baccalaureat-C (Mathematics & Physics) with distinctions in Vannes, France. He was admitted to the ENSTA ParisTech, one of the French engineering “Grandes Écoles”. While studying there, Thomas took part in several exchange programmes and studied at KTH Stockholm (Sweden) and then at James Cook University of North Queensland (Australia).
Thomas moved to SE Asia in 1999 and has been living and working in the Maldives and Sri Lanka ever since. Along with Marie Saleem, in the year 2000 he founded Seamarc (‘Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting’). As well as running the company (now known as ‘Reefscapers’), Thomas is actively and passionately involved in each project, and continues to develop unique cutting-edge solutions to solve pressing environmental issues.
Hazel Araujo (marine biologist)
Hazel is a Guatemalan aquaculturist with 7+ years of experience in conservation, research and awareness initiatives in the Mesoamerican Reef.
In 2022, Hazel was recognized by NAAEE as one of the top-30 under-30 environmental educators, having worked with local NGOs to promote ocean literacy to more than 1,000 children and youth in Guatemala.
Hazel has been a youth policy advocate and national representative in various climate and ocean international conferences such as COP27, UN Ocean Conference, COY17, and RCOY Latin America.
In 2023, Hazel started coordinating our Reefscapers coral restoration project at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. She also leads marine biology activities such as megafauna sightings research, awareness talks, and snorkeling excursions.
At COP28 in Dubai (2023), Hazel was proud to present our Reefscapers team statement ‘Coral Reefs for Climate Action’.
Martin Whiteley (web dev, photographer)
Fascination with wildlife led to a degree in Biological Sciences, where Martin combined his love of photography to study forensics using scanning electron micrography.
Several IT jobs followed, including the setup and management of inventory control systems for a busy electrical retailer. A series of promotions at telecomms giant Virgin Media culminated in Operations Management for a large team of IT professionals, overseeing the company’s national data centre. This included a year-long IBM project to design and exhaustively test a business disaster recovery plan.
Following a 3-month global trip, Martin made his home in the Maldives (2007), working initially in hospitality, and then as the web developer for Reefscapers & Marine Savers (2011).
As a freelance web developer, writer and photographer, Martin’s clients also include/d: Four Seasons, Marriott, UN-Maldives, Yeoman Group, Atoll Editions, Cosmopolitan-Wrist, Soneva Fushi, Hotelier Maldives. He is also pleased to work with and promote several non-profit NGOs in the social & environmental fields.
We can work together! Find me at: photoMaldives.com
Katelyn Hegarty-Kelly (manager, marine biologist)
Originally from Ireland, Katelyn has gained a huge passion for marine life through many travel experiences growing up. Since the age of 15, she knew she wanted to be a marine biologist with an urge to work in conservation and research. She graduated in Applied Freshwater & Marine Biology from the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Galway, Ireland. For her final year thesis, she looked at microplastics in the common prawn at Galway Bay. She gained further ATU experience assisting in various microplastic research projects.
In 2021, Katelyn co-founded The Ray Project NGO, based in Ireland which is working towards the conservation and awareness of native ray and skate species along the Irish coast.
Having a huge interest and urge to work in coral restoration work, Katelyn discovered Reefscapers and was eager to apply for a position. She joined us in June 2023 and has since been promoted to managing marine biologist at Sheraton Maldives. Here, she is restoring the reefs, monitoring coral growth, and running marine conservation & education activities at the Resort.
Cailin Roberts (asst manager, marine biologist)
Cailin grew up in Cape Town (South Africa) – a city where two oceans meet, and the perfect place to learn about marine life. Surrounded by kelp forests, rocky shores, and rich biodiversity, she developed a passion for the ocean that led her to study Marine Biology. Her Honours degree thesis focused on kelp holdfast structural complexity and associated biodiversity, using innovative 3D modelling techniques.
As a qualified commercial diver, Cailin has worked in a variety of underwater environments, from scientific fieldwork to aquarium maintenance. Diving has allowed her to contribute to marine research projects, assisting in the collection of ecological data for postgraduate theses across multiple universities.
In July 2025, Cailin joined Reefscapers as Assistant Marine Biologist at Sheraton. Here, she restores reefs, maintains coral frames, and shares conservation stories through educational talks and media projects. With a strong background in both field science and public outreach, she hopes to inspire visitors and local communities to value and protect the ocean.
![Finn at St Regis Maldives [marine internship Reefscapers]](https://reefscapers.com/reefscapers.com/main/seamain/uploads/Finn-at-St-Regis-Maldives-marine-internship-Reefscapers-800.jpg)
Finn McConnell (marine biology intern)
Born in Bristol (UK) Finn developed an ocean connection during childhood summers swimming & snorkelling in Mallorca. His interest in marine life grew during a gap year, diving in Thailand and exploring reefs in the Philippines & Australia.
Finn is currently completing an MSci in Marine Biology at the University of Southampton. During a semester abroad at James Cook University in Australia, he studied coral reef ecology, tropical aquaculture and aquatic animal ecophysiology, where he also qualified as an SSI Divemaster and worked all across the Great Barrier Reef.
In June 2026, Finn joined Reefscapers as our Marine Biology Intern at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. Here, he assists with coral propagation, transplantation, monitoring and maintenance, reef data collection, underwater photography, guest excursions and marine education.
He is particularly interested in coral resilience to climate-driven stress, especially the differences in tolerance and recovery between coral taxa. He is also interested in the role restoration can play in supporting reef recovery and hopes to continue developing his field, research and scientific diving experience while contributing to the protection of coral reef ecosystems.
This could be you !
You can also Meet our Marine Savers teams, based at two Marine Discovery Centres at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives.
