Over the past forty years of his career, he has worked to raise awareness of the biodiversity and conservation of coral reefs in the Pacific and South-east Asia. Working with organisations like UNESCO. he has helped set up and maintain ten national marine 'refuges' in remote areas of the Pacific. He believes that it is only by designating and legislating for the protection of these areas that the coral reefs can rejuvenate. And that it requires the support of the public to bring pressure to bear to enable these reserves to be established.