March 11–13, 2024, Minalulan, Maria, Siquijor – The CCEF team carried out the first phase of monitoring activities in the Minalulan Marine Protected Area (MPA), covering three key sites: the Artificial Clay Reef (ACR) Site, Control Site, and Reef Site.
The Artificial Clay Reef (ACR) of the said Marine Protected Area (MPA) was installed on December 8, 2024, through a collaborative effort by CCEF, the rrreefs team, and the Local Government Unit of Maria, with generous support from rrreefs. This monitoring marks the beginning of our efforts to track the progress and effectiveness of the Artificial Clay Reef (ACR) structures in restoring coral ecosystems and enhancing marine biodiversity within the Minalulan MPA.
Quarterly Ecological Surveys:
Conducted at all three monitoring sites, these surveys are designed to collect baseline and comparative data on fish populations and various marine species. This information is critical for assessing the impact of our conservation interventions and informing adaptive management strategies.
Coral Recruitment Monitoring:
Special night dive surveys at the Artificial Coral Reef (ACR) site provided valuable insights into coral settlement. Initial findings are encouraging:
88.6% of the Artificial Coral Reef (ACR) Bricks had visible coral recruits.
On average, each brick recorded approximately 4.6 coral recruits.
These results indicate a strong potential for natural coral recruitment and validate the effectiveness of the Artificial Clay Reef (ACR) structures.
Water Quality Monitoring:
Periodic water sampling, paired with continuous data from HOBO loggers, allowed us to track crucial parameters such as temperature and light penetration. This monitoring is essential to understanding the environmental conditions that influence coral health and the broader marine ecosystem.
Next Steps:
Data Validation and Expansion:
We will continue periodic monitoring to validate and build on these promising initial findings.
Team Training:
An Artificial Clay Reef (ACR) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Biodiversity Monitoring training session is scheduled for our newly formed monitoring team to ensure consistent and accurate data collection.
Stakeholder Engagement:
The monitoring results will be shared with regional and national conservation stakeholders to promote collaborative efforts.
Policy Integration:
We are exploring opportunities to integrate these findings into local government (LGU) marine policies and overall MPA management plans, ensuring that our conservation strategies remain adaptive and forward-thinking.
The positive results from our recent monitoring efforts not only highlight the resilience of our marine ecosystems but also underscore the innovative impact of our Artificial Clay Reef (ACR) approach. With 88.6% of ACR bricks showing visible coral recruits—averaging 4.6 recruits per brick—these early findings demonstrate the effectiveness of Artificial Clay Reefs (ACRs) in fostering natural coral settlement and growth.
As we move forward, we are focused on refining and expanding our Artifical Clay Reef (ACR) installations, ensuring that they continue to enhance marine biodiversity while supporting adaptive management strategies. We look forward to further refining this promising technique in the Minalulan MPA and sharing more updates as we deepen our commitment to preserving our vibrant marine life.
