Destructive fishing practices and other environmental factors have degraded the source of the peoples livelihood—the coral reef. As the populations increase in these communities, the rate of destruction of the environment also accelerates. Poverty will continue to get worse unless the people change the way they harvest the ocean for the livelihood of their families. Poverty and a dwindling food so
urce are not the only negative effects of the destruction of the reefs. The coastal areas are now more susceptible to typhoons and tsunamis as the reefs that served as natural barriers are disappearing. In some areas, even the land the people are living on is disappearing due to the ocean currents that now scour the shores because the reef is no longer deflecting this energy. While the degradation of the reefs continues, there is still hope to reverse the trend. By engaging the communities through education and providing options for livelihood that are not dependent on the coral reefs, the destruction can be stopped. Stopping the destructive fishing practices will not be enough to restore the coral reefs back to a state where they can once again provide for the people. Intervention is needed because the people cannot wait 20 years for the reefs to rebuild themselves. Biorock Technology
Using a technology called Biorock, reefs can be restored 4-6 times faster. Biorock reefs are also 50 times more resistant to disease and other environmental causes of degradation, and are the most cost effective method of growing new coral reefs. Biorock uses the process of electrolysis on a submerged steel structure to create a limestone shell around the metal. The limestone material that covers the structure is 3 times stronger than cement, and is made of the same minerals as a coral skeleton. This provides an ideal substrate for corals to attach to and grow on, but it is the electric field produced by the low voltage current that increases the rate of coral growth. Corals can grow 4-7 times faster on Biorock powered reefs, and are more resistant to disease and adverse environmental factors that would cause other corals to die. Power for the Biorock reefs comes from solar panels and a battery floating on the surface. The size of the area that can be rehabilitated is only limited by the amount of power that can be produced at the surface and brought down to the submerged steel structures. Bryan and Jacinda Martin have been in the Philippines for 20 years. They have been working in small communities teaching on social issues to help improve the quality of life of those living in isolated and impoverished areas. They are fluent in Tagalog (the national language of the Philippines) and have experience working with local governments and within the local culture to start grass roots level initiatives. The Martins are founders of Reefs for Life a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in California, United States. They are both certified divers and passionate about seeing people lifted out of poverty through the responsible management of environmental resources. Reefs for Life seeks to restore coral reefs throughout the Philippines.
