Indonesian marine conservationist gayatri reksodihardjo-lilley dies, leaving legacy of community-based reef restoration

A pioneering marine conservationist who transformed how Indonesia approaches coral reef protection has passed away. Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley dedicated her career to proving that successful ocean conservation must center the communities who depend on marine resources for survival.

Initially trained as a marine biologist, Reksodihardjo-Lilley began her career documenting the alarming decline of Indonesia’s coral reefs through traditional scientific research. However, she soon realized that data collection alone wouldn’t reverse the damage. “Managing those resources means managing people,” she observed, shifting her focus from studying marine ecosystems to empowering the fishing communities that relied on them.

In 2008, she co-founded the LINI Foundation, a nonprofit organization that became instrumental in connecting conservation efforts with economic opportunities for coastal communities. Her innovative programs spanned from Bali to Sulawesi and the Banda Islands, training women in sustainable aquaculture techniques like clownfish and Banggai cardinalfish breeding. The foundation also helped local fishers transition away from destructive practices like cyanide and explosive fishing, demonstrating how alternative livelihoods could be both environmentally sustainable and economically viable.

Reksodihardjo-Lilley’s community-centered approach yielded remarkable results. In northern Bali’s waters, coral fragments began regenerating on artificial structures, fish populations recovered, and women who previously had limited economic opportunities became skilled aquaculture practitioners. Her work exemplified a new model of conservation—one that recognizes that protecting marine ecosystems requires addressing the human needs intertwined with them. Her legacy continues through the communities she empowered and the thriving reefs that stand as testament to her collaborative vision.