No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Jim Brittsan. His life is dedicated to coral reef and sea urchin conservation. He has pioneered and currently manages the first in-water reef grazer nursery in the Florida Keys with Sustainable Oceans and Reefs (SOAR), cultivating urchins and corals for restoration and research. His mission in life is to protect and preserve these vital ecosystems for future generations.
JIM BRITTSAN
Founder, SOAR
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I’ve been in the Keys for five years, working to make a meaningful impact on one of the world’s most critical ecosystems, which is our Keys coral reefs.
What do you do for fun in the Keys and why do you love living here? My passion is conserving and restoring coral reefs. Diving is my escape. I love the underwater world and everything it provides for us.
If you could be a conservation superhero, what environmental issue would you tackle and how would you do it? I would be Aquaman, spending every moment underwater protecting and restoring coral reefs. Living in the ocean would give me the ultimate perspective, allowing me to deeply understand marine life and find holistic solutions to rebuild a sustainable ocean and reefs for future generations.
If you could be any species of fish, what would you be and why? I’d be a green band goby, not only for their striking coloration but also because they share a unique relationship with Diadema antillarum (black sea urchin), hiding within its spines for protection. I would know that I am protected and also watching my urchin grazing friend keep pesky algae down on the reefs.
What is your favorite part of the day? I love just being underwater. It doesn’t happen every day, but when it does, I stay down as long as possible, sometimes up to five or six hours straight. In that time, the world’s problems fade, and I’m fully present in the silent realm of the ocean. Mother Ocean has seen it all, and I find peace in her depths.
Describe the color blue without using its name. Clarity and happiness, layered in many shades, each with a deep meaning and purpose in the world.
How would you describe the most beautiful coral reef in the world? A world untouched by humanity, where life flourishes in incomprehensible abundance. Thousands of organisms move together, creating a thriving and intricate ecosystem — a virgin seascape that remains beyond human reach, undisturbed and full of wonder.
What are three adjectives people would use to describe you? Passionate, hard-working, ambitious.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you? I was a national qualifier in college wrestling.
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?” Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
