Our Work

Reef Rehabilitation

Build A Reef Program

Build a Reef (BAR) is a coral reef conservation and reef enhancement program aimed at rehabilitating damaged or barren reef areas brought about by destructive fishing practices and natural events, such as, typhoons, storm surges and tsunamis. The program involves installing a network of simple, low-cost reef enhancement structures (RES) that will provide a suitable substrate for the growth of new coral communities and other living organisms and will serve as habitat for settlement, refuge, nursery, forage and breeding purposes. The program also involves trainings on BAR’s technique, marine environmental education awareness, development of IEC materials and other marine environment projects.

Build a Reef’s RES are designed using concrete hollow blocks (CHB)s material which is ideal for many reasons. Concrete is a material that is very close in composition to natural coral limestone, with excellent surfaces for settlement of algae, corals, sponges and other reef organisms. It is also strong, inexpensive, readily available, and can be made into nearly any shape or size. It is stable and lasts for a long time under the sea. The holes or spaces in each concrete block will provide shelter and protection for small or juvenile fishes and invertebrates. The use of a simple structural design and low-cost local materials for the RES will enable local communities to maintain and replicate these structures in the future without external assistance or intervention.

Unlike specialized expensive heavy concrete reef structures, the RES when assembled on land, can be transported by paddle boats to the selected site. Our sustenance fishermen can readily deploy these modules without much expense, time and effort.

Skills Training

As the health of coral reef ecosystem continues to be threatened by environmental and anthropogenic impacts, the need for reef enhancement as a means for restoring and rehabilitating coral reefs is gaining public awareness. A popular approach toward habitat enhancement is the introduction of underwater man-made structures that act as natural reefs to form habitats for marine life.

BRI provides the Build A Reef (BAR) Training for volunteers and local communities to gain knowledge and skill on reef rehabilitation and restoration technique using simple, low cost, and readily available materials. The training will cover BAR module construction and deployment techniques, as well as, strategic planning, project implementation and management.

In addition to BAR Training, BRI also conducts Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment (PCRA) Training for community workers or resource users in their coastal resource assessment, planning and monitoring activities.

Build A Reef Training

Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment (PCRA) Training

Environmental Education and Awareness

We educate and inform the youth and other members of the community on marine and coastal environment, emphasizing the value of conservation, sustainable management of resources and the different problems/challenges affecting our environment

Environmental education and information dissemination hold the key to reversing the destruction and arresting the depletion of our natural resources by increasing environmental and conservational consciousness and behavior of individuals for a sustainable future.

We have developed the Coastal Resources Education for Students and Teachers (CREST) Training Program designed to incorporate the study of marine environment in the school curriculum of primary, secondary and tertiary levels (NSTP / CWTS Program), as well as, in technical / vocational schools. This is a very significant step in attaining the objectives of environmental education, not merely as an academic requirement, but as a significant tool in the formation of values for our future generation.

BRI has also produced promotional materials such as brochures, booklets, posters and audio-visual materials about marine conservation and protection and rehabilitation of degraded reefs and mangrove forests.

Other Environmental and Community Projects

BRI has in place community-based livelihood projects to enhance the socio-economic conditions of rural folks and also to reduce local pressure on marine resources. They include the necessary skills development training and financial assistance to support viability of the livelihood project identified.

BAR Cement Hollow Blocks (CHBs) Making Project is one of the primary projects developed not only as an income-generating activity for the local community but also will serve as the source material for the Build A Reef's project on rehabilitation of damaged reefs or barren reef areas.

Mangrove Rehabilitation

BAR Cement Hollow-Blocks Making

Mangroves are essential to fish production. They are extraordinary rich habitats that serve as life support systems to about 75 percent of fish species caught by fishermen, as well as, to indeterminate numbers of crustaceans and wildlife. Mangrove loss directly translates to losses in fish catch and food supply. At present, our mangrove areas are deteriorating to natural and human-induced stresses.

BRI, in partnership with the local government and the private sectors conducts Mangrove Rehabilitation Training and information drive to coastal villages in NCR, southern and northern Luzon areas. Likewise, mangrove protection and conservation are being promoted through the production of IEC materials and various e-platforms such as, webinars, google meet, social media and youtube channel.

Mammal Stranding Rescue

Mammal Stranding Rescue is the process of responding to marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and dugongs, that become stranded on beaches, shorelines, or shallow waters. The main goal is to assess the animal's condition, provide immediate care, and determine the safest and most appropriate course of action to increase its chances of survival.

This process is carried out by trained responders, veterinarians, government agencies, and volunteers working together to protect marine wildlife. If the animal is healthy enough, it is safely returned to its natural habitat; otherwise, it may be transported to a rehabilitation facility for further treatment and recovery.