Artificial reefs provide marine sanctuary off Tablas

MANILA, Philippines — A Buenavista, Marinduque steel fabricator has successfully built cube-shaped artificial reefs designed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which have provided sanctuary to marine resources in Tablas Strait off the province.

Josefina Abilay, DOST Region 4-B or Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) director, said the artificial reefs made from cement and microsilica are more resilient as compared to the usual pyramid-shaped artificial ones made of bamboo that have proven to be vulnerable to strong currents in Tablas Strait or the coastal waters of a marine protected area (MPA) off Buenavista town.

DOST Region 4-B had tapped local steel fabricator SMJ Metal Works to build the artificial reefs in a project conducted under the department’s CEST (Community Empowerment through Science and Technology) program.

The reefs were deployed last November and after four months, a good result was observed as different species of fishes and other marine life started to develop in the MPA.  

The CEST program allotted P150,000 for the artificial reefs. The investment is expected to impact the economy of Barangay Yook, especially fisherfolk in the entire municipality. 

Abilay noted that former Buenavista town chief executive Russel Madrigal plans to allot funds to build more of the artificial reefs after seeing the potential of the project through its municipal Environmental and Natural Resources office.