giving coral reefs a future

SECORE International is a leading conservation organization for the protection and restoration of coral reefs.

We need a holistic approach to save our coral reefs. SECORE is a global network of scientists, public aquarium professionals and local stakeholders. We use a multidisciplinary strategy combining research, education, outreach and active reef restoration for the conservation of coral reefs.

Our experts develop innovative strategies to restore populations of endangered coral species and rehabilitate ecological and economic services of coral reefs around the world.  

The idea of SECORE (SExual COral REproduction) was born in 2002 with the innovative coral breeding research of Dr. Dirk Petersen at the Rotterdam Zoo. Two years later, Mike Brittsan, M.Sc., Director of Aquatic Sciences at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (USA) joined to establish SECORE in the USA.

SECORE International is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The corporation is based in Ohio (USA). In 2012, we established a nonprofit, tax-exempt foundation (SECORE Stiftung) in Europe, located in Germany.

Current job openings

• Research Director: application completed

• Project and Workshop Manager: application completed

Founder and Executive Director

Dr. Dirk Petersen

Administration

Kathy Shank, Administrative Manager

Public Relations

Dr. Carin Jantzen, PR Officer

For press inquiries, please contact c.jantzen@secore.org

Sina Löschke, Associate PR Officer

Research & Restoration

Valerie Chamberland, M.Sc., Research Scientist Curacao

Kelly Latijnhouwers, M.Sc., Restoration Technician Curacao

Board of Directors

Mike Brittsan, M.Sc. – chairman – Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, USA

Bart Shepherd, M.Sc. - vice chairman - Steinhart Aquarium, Cal. Academy of Sciences, USA

Dr. Richard Shank – treasurer and secretary - Consultant, USA

Clyde Woodburn – Clyde and Connie Woodburn Foundation, USA

Suzanne Green – The Green Foundation, USA

Christoph Haacke, MSc. - BioDivers, Germany

Dr. James Guest – SECORE International, Malaysia

Scientific Advisory Board

Dr. Anastazia Banaszak, Chair – National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico

Dr. Alasdair Edwards – Newcastle University, UK

Dr. Iliana Baums – Penn State University, USA

Dr. James Guest – Newcastle University, UK

Dr. Laurie Raymundo – University of Guam, USA

Dr. Mark Vermeij – CARMABI Foundation / University of Amsterdam, Curacao

Zoo and Aquarium Advisory Board

Richard Ross – Steinhart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, USA

Mark Schick – Shedd Aquarium, USA

Mitch Carl – Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, USA

Skylar Snowden

Media and Communications

Paul Selvaggio – photography, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

Vanessa Cara-Kerr - videography and production, Reef Patrol

Nele Schütz - graphic design, Nele Schütz Design

Mike McCue - videography, Underwater World Guam

Claartje Visser – consulting, CLAARTJEVISSER.NL

Legal advice

Peter A. Precario – Attorney at Law, Columbus, USA

Dr. Alexander Bulach – Attorney at Law, Munich, Germany