*Invention Patent – Philippines No. 1-2012-0001
USA No. 9832979B2
Australia No. 2013287151

REEFBUDS* are new technology artificial reefs invented by an Austrian geoscientist, the late Dr. Harald Kremnitz and Filipino Benjamin Tayag, Jr.

In May 2006, it won a World Bank Country Development Market place contest, one of the 60 grant awardees in field of over 1000 proposals on the theme “Development with Equity”

REEFBUDS represent a new and effective way of reviving near shore marine ecosystems that have been severely damaged by unregulated human activity. REEFBUDS are like oases of sorts under the sea. They are good examples of scientific garden/ farm technology but applied under the sea.

Scientific studies on massive REEFBUD projects like Boracay island show revival of a dead marine environment of coral rubble covering hundreds of hectares.

The studies show that given coral spawning seasons, natural coral recruits taking life on REEFBUD surfaces are at least 6 times more than if the spawn fell on the natural environment of sand, rocks, coral rubble and other debris. The studies also show that coral branches grafted onto REEFBUD surfaces exhibit healthy growth and are able to withstand the battering of powerful typhoons like Yolanda. For that matter the REEFBUD structures in the different projects (some of which go back 8 years), have remained intact as they continue to grow and play host to various forms of marine life.

REEFBUDS can play a vital role in fish enhancement even in areas not suitable to coral growth such as the highly polluted seas in and around Manila Bay. In Rosario Cavite, a REEFBUD project supported by the Cavite Export Processing Zone Authority since 2009, some 1400 REEFBUD structures have played host to various forms of edible marine life such as fish, crabs, clams, and shrimps. The most visible evidence of this is that in 2008 there were 12 species of edible fish and marine creatures in small quantities in the nearby waters.

Today there are 38 species. The LGU of Rosario boasts of bringing back fishing livelihood to Rosario waters when previous to the project, the fisherman had to travel great distances to nearby provinces like Bataan and Batangas to fish because they had lost their fishing grounds in Rosario.

Moreover, more and more fisherman from nearby towns are coming to Rosario, necessitating 24/7 water patrolling and monitoring to protect the marine sanctuary around the REEFBUDS.

WHAT ARE REEFBUDS?

REEFBUDS are made of environmentally friendly all natural organic and inorganic materials, such as shredded coconut husk, rice stalks, volcanic rock, activated carbon, sand and cement all combined to form a rough hollow pyramid structure that has the following features and benefits.

1. POROSITY- REEFBUD structures are like solid sponges that absorb sea water (up to 30% of its weight) together with all the marine life suspended in it, like spores, plankton, algae etc. the entire REEFBUD takes on the PH of the surrounding water as it penetrates the structure through capillary action. The absorbed marine life germinates quickly within the fertile environment inside the REEFBUDS.
2. CALCIFICATION- The blend of materials in the REEFBUD reacts with sea water and triggers a calcification process very much like the natural process that takes place continuously in the sea. e.g., calcification in coral structures, crab shells, crustaceans, turtle shells, etc. This makes the REEFBUD a rock solid natural habitat for all forms of marine life.
3. STABILITY- Because they are heavy massive structures and become even heavier as they absorb sea water and marine life, REEFBUDS cannot be moved by strong currents during storms. Moreover, they are built with an aqua dynamic shape that allows currents to simply glide around the structures instead of pushing on them. Stability allows the REEFBUDS to become permanent homes and spawning grounds for marine life.
4. COMPATIBILITY- REEFBUDS were formulated to use beach sand and sea water as basic raw materials.
   REEFBUD mix (25% of volume) are mixed and formed with beach sand and cement (75% of volume).  This ensures REEFBUD compatibility with the waters where they will be deployed.
5. SPEED of GROWTH- This is best feature of REEFBUDS. Marine life such as algae, fish, sea anemones, squid, etc can be found plentiful on REEFBUDS in as little as 4 weeks after being dropped in a marine dead area (with only sand and/or mud).  REEFBUDS have been found to be one of the most effective and fastest ways to rekindle a marine ecosystem which has disappeared or severely damaged.
6. CORAL PROPAGATION: Scientific studies show over 6x greater survivability of coral spawn in REEFBUDS compared to concrete objects, sand, rocks and coral rubble (dead corals)

Deployments:

Anilao –   30 REEFBUDS

Boracay –  5000 REEFBUDS

Camiguin – 500 REEFBUDS

Rosario Cavite- 1400 REEFBUDS