For his commitment to the ocean and work planting and fostering more than 50,000 baby corals, Ken Nedimyer was honored as Scuba Diving's Sea Hero of the Year at this year's DEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Nedimyer, Scuba Diving's June Sea Hero and president of the Coral Restoration Foundation, was selected from the five 2014 Sea Heroes as the Sea Hero of the Year, earning a $5,000 check from sponsor Oris Watches to further his work fostering coral nurseries.

“This is a real honor. I look at my competition here, and these guys are great — not a lot of people are innovators like the Sea Heroes. I’m enjoying what I’m doing, and I’m really honored to be a part of this group and to be your Sea Hero of the Year. I think you’re going to be proud of what we have done, and I’m really proud to be part of this group," Nedimyer said after receiving the award.

V.J. Geronimo, CEO of Oris Watches North America, presented Nedimyer with the award and the $5,000 check from Oris Watches.

"We like to sponsor this program because at Oris our slogan is ‘real watches for real people.’ When you think of the things these Sea Heroes are doing, you realize there are two types of people: people who sit on the sidelines and watch what’s happening, and people who actually do something about it. We believe our Sea Heroes are the type of people who get up and do something. So for that, we’d like to say thank you and recognize you all," Geronimo said.

Nedimyer was joined by other 2014 Sea Heroes during the congratulatory event. Active Shark Saver and manta-ray conservationist Mary O’Malley (May), vice-president and co-founder of Manta Pacific Research Foundation Keller Laros (July); and REEF director and invasive lionfish hunter Lad Akins (August); toasted the Sea Hero of the Year and mingled with DEMA attendees during the event. September/October Sea Hero Carrie Manfrino was traveling at the time, and could not be in attendance.

Oris Watches North America and Scuba Diving magazine developed the Sea Heroes program — now in its fourth year — to reward the dedicated divers making strides in conservation around the world.

What is a Sea Hero?

The Sea Heroes Award is sponsored by Scuba Diving magazine and Oris Watches. Each Sea Hero featured in Scuba Diving receives an Oris Diver’s Date watch (worth $1,595). At the end of the year, a panel of judges selects one overall winner, who receives a $5,000 cash award from Oris to further his or her work. Nominate a Sea Hero here.