Curious about the exciting marine development in Southern Leyte’s Sogod Bay, coral planting in particular, SLT contacted the person who made a remarkable contribution to this endeavor. The ensuing narrative is written by him, Alan Binnebose.
When the corals were first planted and assessed, you should know that this has been an evolving project. Prior to Typhoon Odette, I had been experimenting with plastic bottles and ghost nets (pokot). Typhoon Odette destroyed virtually 100% of my coral garden. After Odette, I had plans to return here and begin rebuilding the coral reef. A friend, Mr. Wai Ho, learned of my plan and volunteered to travel here from Singapore for ten days to help me. That was in February 0f 2023. Upon his arrival, we quickly learned our biggest problem would be where to source the corals needed for transplanting.
We approached Mayor Culpa to ask for advice and assistance in our project. He suggested finding corals near Sta. Sofia. At that time, he also gave us a letter granting permission to collect corals. His only request was that we keep him updated on our progress.
We began work on the first coral bed on February 10, 2023. By February 17, Mayor Culpa was surprised by our first project update. We had already completed the first 5 of the coral beds in our proof of concept experiment in front of my home in Tambo. We collected and transplanted 25 pieces of corals on each of the 5 beds for a total of 125 pieces of corals. We spent the remainder of Mr. Wai Ho’s time here photographing and documenting our work.
After Wai Ho returned to Singapore, I built a 6th bed with help from my friend and neighbor, Niño Bersabal of Tambo. After the first 3 weeks from transplanting, the survival rates for the corals on each of the six beds varied from 70% to 100%, with an overall average of about 85%.
The next evaluation and report to Mayor Culpa was in October of 2023 and we found that the corals had maintained the overall survival rate of 85%. The next assessment and update to Mayor Culpa was in late November of 2023. We again found the corals had maintained the 85% survival rate. In April of 2024 we did another assessment and report to Mayor Culpa. As before, we had a survival rate of 85% and the growth on many of the species was to more than double the size at the time of transplanting.
In June of this year, we did a final assessment and a formal report to Mayor Culpa and his department heads. At this time, we noted to the Mayor that the coral beds held more than the 125 pieces originally transplanted. New corals had been growing on the artificial substrate of the coral beds. It was at this time that Mayor Culpa informed me he intended to make our method of coral reef restoration a priority project of his administration.
In June of 2024, Peter’s Dive Resort which had been following our progress and results, decided to assist in the project by purchasing the materials for 10 additional coral beds. The purpose was to determine if my proof of concept experiment could be replicated and similar results obtained. Those beds of constructed corals were transplanted by their staff in just one day! After 3 weeks, they had a 100% survival rate.
The next assessment came in September by Arnel Beslig and myself. We determined there was a 95% survival rate at that time. In October, just prior to the official launching ceremony of The Padre Burgos Coral Restoration Project held at Peter’s Dive Resort, Dino Razon (manager) and his staff marine biologist, Jhoven, did another assessment as reported on The Peter’s Dive Resort Facebook page. They reported a Survival rate of 94%.
The LGU purchased the materials for another 15 coral beds to be started in conjunction with the launching ceremony at Peter’s. On that day we constructed and transplanted the first 5 of those beds. The recent weather associated with LPAs/typhoons in the Philippines has delayed completion of the remaining 10 beds. We hope to have them completed by the end of November. We have received some good news from Mr. Phil McGuire of Sogod Bay Scuba Resort. He has a group of 18 divers arriving who plan on doing coral restoration dives on November 4th. Perhaps the remaining beds can be completed at that time.
Photos by: Alan Binnebose
Lastly, I grew up and have a home in Wisconsin, USA. I am happily retired from business and had served in the United States Air Force. My current profession is just having fun. (DYbañez, GMReyes)
