To help ensure the health of the country’s marine ecosystem, Gold Seas Tuna Chunks under General Nutrifoods Philippines Inc. recently embarked on the “Sea of Life” coral reef conservation project.
The “Sea of Life” is an artificial reef installation positioned along the shores of Tingloy, Batangas that covers about 1,000 square meters.
In partnership with the Junior Chamber International Manila, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Philippine Navy, and the local government of Batangas, the project will install eight artificial corals made of pH neutral cement and micro silica that is conducive to the growth of marine life.
The installations are shaped like the busts of six world-renowned local and international luminaries, who personify outstanding corporate citizenship and passion for nation-building, and two area markers. These underwater sculptures comprise the first set of 50 statues in the “Sea of Life Museum” that will be completed in a span of four to five years. A special Gold Seas marker will also be installed to outline the expanse of the underwater museum.
With this project, organizers expect that the coral reef, algae, and marine fish population will improve in a year and a half. The structures are also projected to have coral growth in three years.
“The Philippines is known around the world for its rich marine biodiversity, which some biologists even say can rival that of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. However, whether or not our oceans are as bountiful as other famous locations, it is our responsibility to nature, nurture and conserve them,” said Philip Sanchez, General Manager of General Nutrifoods Philippines, Inc.
“With this project, we at Gold Seas Tuna Chunks, believe that we are not only protecting the resources we have now, but we are saving it for the generations to come. This is the reason why we go to great lengths to promote responsible fishing, work only with conscientious suppliers, and ensure that our products are dolphin-safe,” Sanchez added.
Most divers and marine conservationists would describe the Philippine’s oceans and marine life as vibrant, abundant and teeming with life.
The country’s coral reef area is so biodiverse that it is considered as the world’s “Center of Marine Biodiversity.”
With a land area of 26,000 kilometers, and inhabited by 915 reef fish species and over 400 scleractinian or hard coral species, the Philippine coral reef is the second largest in Southeast Asia.
Unfortunately, due to negligence and abuse, such as pollution, mangrove harvesting, overfishing and destructive fishing methods, which are further compounded by natural calamities like tropical storms, earthquakes, and increased sedimentation, this rich underwater system is under threat of destruction.
The reef’s denudation will negatively impact the environment and the lives of thousands of people who rely on it for food, tourism and the creation of medicines.