PROJECT BACKGROUND

With the ongoing effects of climate change, corals are facing difficulties growing, spreading and/or recovering from severe disturbances such as bleaching, strong tropical depressions or anthropogenic factors. Furthermore, areas that have previously been damaged (for example, by blast fishing) are less likely to make timely recoveries to full health. Coral restoration efforts aim to jumpstart the regeneration process. More so, the mineral accretion technology increases survival rates of small fragments, boosts coral growth speed and aids build-up of resilience against the aforementioned severe weather events.

Stretches of coastline around Malapascua have been identified and surveyed by People and the Sea over recent years. Several areas are known for having little coral coverage, low levels of fish biomass, low coral cover and invertebrate abundancies. These areas would be well suited to initiate a pilot project of mineral accretion coral restoration in cooperation with the barangay, the local government unit and other relevant stakeholders.