Sopi was raised in the Anambas and is a native of Kiabu, the closest inhabited island to Pulau Bawah. He joined the Bawah Reserve team in 2018 and has since greatly improved his scuba diving skills and marine conservation knowledge. He is a qualified PADI Rescue Diver, and ScubaPro equipment Technician and has a particular interest in coral reef rehabilitation and sea turtle conservation.