The Cayman Islands-based organization made the announcement at the DEMA Show 2025 in Orlando, citing Nachoum’s numerous prestigious awards and significant contributions to exploration, underwater photography and the dive industry. As an internationally acclaimed photographer and renowned wildlife and underwater photographer specializing in photographing large marine species, Nachoum is the founder of Big Animals Expeditions, which, since 1988, has led over 7,000 explorers on safe and intimate wildlife encounters.

Widely recognized as the founder of Kids Scuba Malaysia and the Diveheart Malaysia Ambassador, Rahman is celebrated for his decades-long dedication to making the underwater realm accessible to all, particularly children, teenagers and people with disabilities. He is only the second Malaysian and Southeast Asian ever to receive this prestigious international distinction, which honors individuals who have advanced the growth and success of recreational scuba diving worldwide.

I am chuffed to bits that Roz has finally received the recognition she truly deserves for her many years of dedicated service to the dive industry. Now lost in the fog of history, the day we first met was at some dive industry function; I believe it was a dive show in the United Kingdom around the turn of the new millennium. Roz has had such a long and storied career in the industry and, despite our long acquaintance, I don’t know the half of it.

Dr Pomponi, who is a Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University-Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, will be the 24th woman to receive a NOGI since the award's inception 64 years ago, and one of only three women to receive the Science award. 

100 of these coins have been especially crafted for the chapter.

The GB&I Chapter Coin is given to inspiring individuals and those who have contributed to exploration in extraordinary ways. Mark Wood, explorer

Polar explorer Mark Wood stated "As Chair of the Great Britain and Ireland Chapter I'm in a privileged position to meet some extraordinary people through my work. I had the honour of presenting Rick Stanton with the Chapter Coin."