Yuliana 'Feby' Febriyanti MaubutyTaken from FEBY - Lautan Calling: The Story of a Young Marine Conservationist by Noemi Merz
Yuliana Febriyanti Maubuty, known to her friends and family as ‘Feby,’ grew up in a small fishing village in Alor, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Her father is a fisher and taught Feby to fish when she was just twelve years old, making her the first woman fisher in her village.[1] From there, her passion for the ocean grew, as well as her desire to learn how to protect it. Conservation Filmmaker and Photographer Noemi Merz made Feby the subject of her latest film, FEBY - Lautan Calling: The Story of a Young Marine Conservationist. The film is a finalist for the 2025 Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award at the MY HERO International Film Festival.
Watch FEBY - Lautan Calling: The Story of a Young Marine Conservationist here.
Feby’s Journey Begins
When Feby became a fisherwoman at twelve years old, she did so in the hopes of supporting her family. She began learning more about fisheries to help her family business and quickly developed an interest in ways to support other fishers in the community. Her interest soon led her to enrol at the Tribuana University in Kalabahi to study Fisheries and Marine Science, where she began to learn more and more about the ocean and ways to fish sustainably.[2] Despite studying full-time, Feby continued to support her family by fishing, waking up and heading out on the boat before she went to her morning classes.
Taken from FEBY - Lautan Calling: The Story of a Young Marine Conservationist by Noemi MerzFeby perches on her fishing boat one morning.
Conservation Champion at Thresher Shark Indonesia
Feby enjoyed her studies but longed to learn more about methods of conservation. Wanting to expand her horizons, Feby applied to become a Conservation Champion with Thresher Shark Indonesia. On the Conservation Champion program at Thresher Shark Indonesia, people aged 18-25 receive training on marine conservation and develop leadership and communication skills to help them better serve their community.[3]
Whilst with Thresher Shark, Feby learned to dive, making her one of the only women divers on the island of Alor. Diving opened her eyes to the diversity and beauty of marine life, and it was on her first dive that she uncovered a newfound love of coral. She began researching the corals native to Alor and decided to make them the focus of her final project at university.
Inspiring Conservationists of the Future
Conservation Champions at Thresher Shark Indonesia spend a portion of the program visiting local schools to spread awareness and teach children about how to contribute to and increase conservation efforts in their communities. On teaching the next generation, Feby explained
I especially want to inspire young girls, be their role model, and empower them […] I want them to be aware of their full potential and power.[4]
Why Feby is a Hero
Feby’s journey as a conservation hero began because of her innate desire to support her family. She now supports not only them but her community, including other fisheries, young people, and the marine life she has sought out to protect. Her contributions to research into the corals native to Alor have already sparked new conservation efforts, ensuring that Alor’s marine life will not only survive, but thrive. As a member of Thresher Shark Indonesia’s team, she continues to inspire a whole new generation of conservationists, who will follow in her footsteps and secure the future of Alor’s marine population.
About the Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award
MacGillivray-Freeman Films Educational Foundation’s One World One Ocean Campaign sponsors the ‘Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award’ annually at the MY HERO International Film Festival. One World One Ocean is a global non-profit campaign designed to connect people emotionally to the world's ocean. Their mission is to raise awareness of ocean degradation, to inspire audiences through cinematography and to spark a global movement to protect our seas.
Sylvia Earle is a world-renowned oceanographer, explorer, author, lecturer, leader, and research scientist who has led more than 70 expeditions, logging more than 6,500 hours underwater. Formally chief scientist of NOAA and now a National Geographic explorer-in-residence, she was awarded the 2009 TED Prize for her proposal to establish a global network of marine protected areas, called “hope spots.”
Said Greg MacGillivray, Chairman of MacGillivray Freeman Films, “Sylvia Earle is our ocean hero, and we hope this award inspires aspiring filmmakers to shine a spotlight on other dedicated people from all walks of life who are working tirelessly on behalf of our oceans."
Read more about the award, and its sponsors, here.
To see previous winners of the MY HERO Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award, or enter for 2025, go to: myhero.com/sylvia-earle-ocean-conservation-award
About the MY HERO International Film Festival:
The My Hero Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to showcasing films that celebrate the power of the human spirit. Hosted by Eva Haller, a prominent philanthropist and advocate for social change, the festival provides a platform for filmmakers to share inspirational stories of everyday heroes. Thanks to generous sponsors, prizes are awarded to elementary, middle school, high school, college and professionals in a variety of categories including documentary, narrative, music video, animation, experimental, and more.
The festival aims to inspire audiences to recognize the heroism in their own lives and encourage positive actions in their communities. Learn more.
[1] https://www.visuals-for-conservation.com/documentaries/feby
Page created on 7/10/2025 4:58:27 PM
Last edited 7/11/2025 11:10:03 AM
