Coral Microfragmentation

1. Filipinnovation:
Microfragmentation as a
Method of Reef Restoration
in the Philippines
Dela Cruz, Mary Lance M.

2. ▰ The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
and Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and
Natural Resources Research and Development of the
DOST (DOST-PCAARRD) funded the Filipinnovation on
Coral Reef Restoration Program which uses coral
asexual reproduction technology for reef restoration
in selected restoration sites.
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3. ▰ 70% of the Philippines’corals have been damaged due to
destructive fishing techniques and natural factors.
▰ In response to the worsening coral degradation, the
Filipinnovation Coral Reef Restoration Program aims to develop
low-cost, effective and transferable techniques in coral
transplantation to manage, restore and rehabilitate damage
reefs. 3

4. ▰ Filippinovation uses coral asexual reproduction technology that involves the
collection of dislodged live coral microfragments or “corals of opportunity”
(COPs), and attaching them to coral nursery units (CNUs).
▰ Microfragmentation is the process of breaking tiny pieces of coral to
stimulate rapid growth. Corals grown in this technique only need 2-3 years
to reach maturity than the average 25-75 years, then has the capacity to
form colonies in a short time span.
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5. Objectives:
▰ The general objective of Filipinnovation is to restore the degraded coral reef of 9 identified locations to increase
marine biodiversity and fishes
▰ Specifically, the project aims to:
▻ Measure the impact on the identified restoration sites before and after outplanting microfragment arrays;
▻ Restore the coral reef through establishment of coral nursery unit and transplanting of coral of opportunities to
the sites identified;
▻ Monitor growth and survival for over two years to determine whether outplants persist longterm;
▻ Train the concern agencies in the establishment of CNU, Collection of COP‘s and Transplantation activities
through scuba diving training; and
▻ Conduct seminar and trainings on coral restoration for community awareness and sustainable protection and
preservation.
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6. ▰ A. Pre- project Implementation
▻ Site Assessment. Bohol, Pangasinan, Sarangani, Bataan, Zambales, Palawan,
Camiguin, Zamboanga del Norte, and Ilocos Norte were identified as restoration
sites based on their suitability for restoration; availability of sufficient amount of
coral fragments for transplanting, and their location within the marine protected
area.
▻ Initial Scoping. Consultative dialogue was undertaken with the Municipal
Mayor, key municipal personnel, and with potential partners in the project
implementation. The concept project proposal was implemented and an initial
leveling of expectations was carried-out. 6

7. ▰ B. Implementation Phase
▻ Capacity Building
▻ Presentation to the
Town Council and
Hearings
▻ Fabrication of Coral
Nursery Units
▻ Collection of COP's
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▻ Establishment of
Coral Nurseries
▻ Coral
Transplantation
▻ Monitoring and
Measuring of
Impact

8. ▰ Established 538 CNUs in the 9 restoration sites and
transplanted 487,158 coral fragments.
▰ The COPs reared in the 10 CNUs in Bagac totals to 5,000
coral fragments, 2,000 of which are already transplanted
while the remaining was destroyed by typhoons that hit
the area. The other 1,000 plus COPs were directly
transplanted after collection.
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▰ The average growth of transplanted
COPs is 3cm. Consequently, the more
perimeter an outplant type had, the
larger increase in surface area occurred
at this site.
▰ Filipinnovation sites in Batangas, Bohol
and Tawi-Tawi have higher number of
fish and higher fish biomass compared
with the outside sites

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