Sporting sun-kissed skin and a radiant smile, Lin Xiaohui both embodies and lives the lifestyle of a “seaside girl.”

A second-generation Shenzhener born in the 1990s, Lin initially held a superficial understanding of the ocean despite growing up in this coastal city, primarily associating it with seafood. However, a transformative diving experience in 2017 completely reshaped her perspective.

“I had my first dive at Lovers’ Island in Dapeng. It only lasted about 10 minutes, but the underwater sights and sensations were unforgettable. The crystal clear water, coupled with a few passing fish, forged in me a profound connection with nature. That experience prompted me to pursue my diving certification that very year,” Lin revealed to Shenzhen Daily while on a beach in Xichong, Dapeng New District.

Lin Xiaohui talks to a Shenzhen Daily reporter on a beach in Xichong, Dapeng New District. Liu Xudong

From that moment on, she has been in love with the tranquility and rejuvenation that the ocean offers, solace she believes many urban dwellers long for. Fueled by this passion, Lin relinquished her advertising career to dedicate herself to ocean conservation.

Founding BlueFins

In 2020, Lin and a group of like-minded individuals, bound by their mutual adoration for the ocean, co-founded BlueFins, an organization dedicated to researching, protecting, sustainably managing, and restoring coral and marine ecosystems.

“My partners are all divers who love the ocean just as much as I do. We volunteered together in various conservation activities and found we shared a common vision. That connection led us to establish BlueFins. I feel like I embody Shenzhen’s spirit — bold and adventurous. This mindset gave me the courage to take on challenges and lead BlueFins,” Lin reflected.

A scene of wild coral spawning in Dapeng Bay. Courtesy of the interviewee

Since its inception, BlueFins has focused on observing, studying, documenting, and protecting coral reefs, encouraging public participation in scientifically driven conservation efforts, and promoting the development of ocean-friendly urban communities. Over the past three years, BlueFins has documented over 130 species in Dapeng Bay and more than 200 species in Daya Bay, providing valuable data for marine conservation initiatives.

To further raise awareness about marine conservation, BlueFins teamed up with DT News last year to launch two educational programs. One of these, “365 Days Under the Sea in Shenzhen,” features round-the-clock live streams of the city’s marine life, accompanied by educational videos, that have been a hit with the public. A standout event was their 72-hour live broadcast of wild coral spawning in Dapeng Bay, which began May 24 last year, giving the public a rare glimpse into coral reproduction mysteries.

Despite these milestones, Lin and her team encountered challenges, particularly during their live-streamed dives. “Adverse weather often disrupts the broadcasts, and monitoring crucial events like coral spawning — typically at night — can be physically draining. Monitoring typically starts in the evening and extends into late night hours, so we need to begin setting up in the afternoon, dive at around 8 p.m., and return to the shore by 10 or 10:30 p.m., followed by equipment cleanup and debriefing,” Lin told Shenzhen Daily.

Nevertheless, BlueFins’ volunteer team has grown from seven to nearly 40 members, facilitating broader public engagement in these activities and alleviating workload strain.

Societal support

The road to marine conservation has been fraught with challenges, but robust support from society has fortified BlueFins’ foundation.

Seven years ago, Lin began working on marine-related brand promotion, which provided her with opportunities to exchange ideas with experts and scholars from universities and institutions. She often discussed how to carry out front-line conservation work with them, and her passion for coral protection gained their recognition and support.

When Lin founded BlueFins in 2020, she garnered unwavering support from these scientists, who routinely traveled to Dapeng to collaborate with Lin and her team on work plans and challenges. Experts from Hong Kong also frequently participated, and despite limited funding for some public welfare projects, they never hesitated to offer their help, according to Lin.

Lin surfs on the sea. A typical seaside girl, Lin enjoys marine sports such as surfing and diving. Liu Xudong

“Some activities require extensive preparation, such as when scientists need to set off as early as 6 or 7 a.m. We are very grateful that some scientists from Guangzhou would take the first train without complaint to support our work. Experts from research institutes and universities have also provided invaluable support and assistance,” Lin told the reporter.

Initially, BlueFins operated solely through the dedication of its team members, with no full-time staff during its first three years. Fortunately, over time, BlueFins received generous support from many companies and foundations.

In 2021 and 2022, thanks to funding from the Vanke Foundation, BlueFins initiated a project that documented up to 170 marine species and significantly raised awareness among local residents and visitors about the marine environment near their homes.

Lin also mentioned their close collaboration with Dapeng’s Nan’ao area to promote coral conservation. They have carefully crafted brochures to inform every visitor to the Dapeng coast about coral preservation. She emphasized that coral grows incredibly slowly — brain coral might only grow one centimeter a year, and even the faster-growing staghorn coral only grows a few centimeters annually. A single misstep by a visitor can easily wipe out a year’s worth of coral growth.

Looking ahead, Lin remains optimistic about the future of coral conservation. “Corals have the capacity to regenerate. In the 1980s, coral coverage in Shenzhen may had reached 76%, plummeting to a mere 13% due to assorted factors. Yet, collective efforts have elevated coverage to an average of 37%. This collaborative trajectory underscores societal progress. Policies have been introduced to protect coral, public awareness has improved, and experts have conducted in-depth research and provided recommendations, all of which have played a crucial role in coral conservation,” said Lin.