Reefs for Life is restoring coral reefs and empowering local communities to protect them

 New Town, New Possibilities!

The category 5 typhoons that ravaged Caramoan last year has caused us to shift the way we do things and some of our priorities. In 2020, we had a successful online fundraiser where we were able to raise what was needed for a project in Cabacongan. Thank you to all who were a part of that! As we were doing education programs in the community and dive surveys in the water surrounding the town, we could see the damage done by the previous storms. The people told us about the powerful waves that hit their community, and we had to make the difficult decision to move the planned coral reef restoration project to a safer location. The town of Cabacongan is just too exposed to the effects of typhoons for an artificial reef to remain safe. But where could we move the coral restoration project? The neighboring town of Pandanan! Pandanan is located inside the Caramoan National Park, so it makes sense to also establish a marine sanctuary there as well. We presented to the town leadership council and they excited to begin immediately! Pandanan happens to have a geological feature, Pitogo Island, the creates the perfect area for coral reef restoration that even the strongest storms cannot get through. It is also near enough to the town of Cabacongan, so the people there will still reap the benefits of increased biodiversity and increased fish catch for their fishermen.

Cabacongan Fund Raiser

We want to thank all of you who were a part of our fund raiser last year. Since then, the world has changed as Coved-19 turned everything upside down. Despite the lockdowns and the fear, Reefs for Life has been able to continue to work with the most needy and remote coastal communities in our area. The importance of these communities to take control of their natural resources has only become greater as their dependence on the environment became greater as outside resources were cut off due to the pandemic. Reefs for Life was able to hold consultations with the local leaders and local fishermen about where to establish the sanctuary. We then conducted a 3 week educational course on fisheries management for fishermen, empowering them with the knowledge they need to make their profession of fishing sustainable. Because of those of you gave so generously, we were able to accomplish a lot even in the midst of the pandemic!

cabacongan fishermen manage their natural resources

“We need more buoys and flags in the water over there”, said Ninyo, the new president of the Cabacongan Sanctuary Fisherfolk Association told our Coral Restoration Manager, Evan. Fishermen from Cabacongan have been reporting the incursion of illegal fishermen from another town into their Managed Access Area. Reefs for Life helped the local fishermen organize into the Cabacongan Sanctuary Fisherfolk Association so they can have a voice in how their natural resources are managed. The Association will carry forward the conservation focus that the fishermen want so that their livelihood is sustainable. Not waiting for the paperwork to go through the Municipal Hall for the salaries of the promised 2 Sea Wardens for Cabacongan, Ninyo decided to act now to protect the part of the ocean their people depend on to make a living from the poisons that were being dumped there. Sodium cyanide is often used in this area to stun fish, making them easy to scoop up out of the water. The results are devastating to the eco-system as the poison kills everything it touches, including coral, sea grass, and any small fish that happen to be near by. Reefs for Life is committed to supporting these fisherfolk organizations as they develop into self-supporting environmental focused labor groups.