Environmental heroes who have worked to protect the seas were highlighted at an awards ceremony.

The first Ocean Hero Awards, organised by the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, honoured 20 adult and young guardians of the environment.

Ronald Stan, the BUEI co-chairman, said: “Bermuda’s history is unmistakably tied to its surrounding environment and we thought it important to highlight those who have fought tirelessly to protect the seas integral to our survival.”

Ocean Hero Awards were designed for people, living or dead, who dedicated at least a decade to education on the conservation of the waters around the island.

The Young Hero Certificate was set up for young people who have shown “passion, drive, and dedication” for ocean conservation.

The Ocean Hero Award winners were:

Judie Clee, Anne Hyde, JP Skinner and Robbie Smith, honoured as “Ocean Mentors” for their commitment to research and conservation.

Choy Aming, Joanna Pitt, Andrew Stevenson and Weldon Wade were given awards as “Ocean Innovators” for projects that improved the health of the seas.

Philippe Rouja, Samia Sarkis, Jennifer Gray, and Tammy Warren were recognised as “Ocean Strategists” for their development of ways to improve conditions in marine ecosystems.

Neil Burnie, who was a vet, and Teddy Tucker, a sub-sea explorer, won posthumous honours for their visionary approaches to ocean exploration.

Young Hero Certificates were given to:

Correne Archeval, Maya Fitzmaurice-Trott, and JD Symonds, became “Ocean Advocates” for their commitment to conservation.

Andreas Ratteray and Fae Sapsford were awarded the “Ocean Influencers” title for a campaign designed to teach the public about Bermuda’s ocean environment and the problems it faced.

Phoebe Barboza and Jorge Sanchez were recognised as “Ocean Researchers” for leadership of projects or research that contributed to the understanding of the ocean environment.

Karla Lacey, the BUEI chief executive, said: “It is with great pleasure that we at BUEI can shine the spotlight on the next generation of ocean activists.

“I am overjoyed to see our young Bermudians step up in areas that are crucial to our survival as a nation and as a people.

“I believe this is only the beginning and I look forward to being witness to what they continue to achieve.”

The awards ceremony was held at the BUEI on November 25.