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PROJECT: Coral Reefs
coral

CORAL REEF MONITORING

The coral ecosystems are for the Ocean what the forests of the Amazon are for the Land: places of enormous diversity and importance for thousands of creatures. 

In Ecuador, in spite of the fact that coral reefs are found only intermittently along the coast of Ecuador, their presence is important for commercial interests and for attracting tourists to those areas.  The marine area of the Machalilla National Park possesses some of the most representative samples of corals of Ecuador.  Nevertheless, these ecosystems are seriously threatened by fishing, contamination and the impacts of tourism. 

Inside our ISLANDS PROJECT, the formation of coral reefs on the Isla de la Plata will be monitored periodically by divers and data will be taken of abundance, diversity, growth and health status.

 

CORAL RE-FORESTATION

Along the coast-line of Machalilla many coral reefs have been seriously damaged by anchors and fishing.  In many places the broken corals roll in the sand for months before dying.  Since 2008 Equilibrio Azul has initiated, along side the Headquarters of the National Park Machalilla a project for the restoration and "re-planting" of broken corals. 

The objective is to re-set the broken corals firmly to the floor.  This will allow them to recover and grow back to their former glory.  To do this, we have begun to use techniques that have been developed, tried and tested all over the world.

 

MOORING BUOYS SYSTEM

The anchors used by row boats, tourists and dive vessels have an extremely detrimental affect on the coral reefs. They cause enormous damage and destroy in seconds what nature has taken decades to create.

Working alongside Project AWARE, our objective is to eliminate the use of anchors in zones of coral reefs throughout Machalilla National Park, therefore we have designed a system of anchorage points for La Isla de la Plata and Salango. This system permits us to place new buoys and to replace some old systems made from blocks of cement, by a system called "propeller". 

At present we are continuing to re-place buoys in these vital areas, but your support is vital for the success of our project and if you choose, we can help you adopt a reef or record reefs in your dive courses.

 

 

ARTIFICIAL REEFS

An “artificial reef” is defined as an external or alien structure to the marine environment, placed for the purpose of offering a space in which corals can adhere to. Around the world many places exist where these initiatives have encountered much success and have increased the marine diversity in deserted or mistreated zones. 

In our country the implementation of artificial reefs not yet is a common or known practice.  In the 2001 with the help of Project AWARE and Fundación Natúra we have develop the first pilot project of artificial reefs in La Isla de la Plata.  The results are still being evaluated while we seek alternatives to increase these structures.

 

ADOPT A REEF


Thanks to the support of environmentalists and private enterprises we have been able to expand the reach and number of structures built for this project. 

A donation of only 60 USD permits us to finance a structure, increase our anchorage buoys systems, and to maintain them. 

If you would like to contribute to this project please do not hesitate to contact us:

 

Equilibrio Azul would like to thank the following for their donations:

  • Silvia Benítez and daughters
  • Mónica Alvarez
  • Directv
  • Toyota PuraTracción
  • Seguros Equinoccial
  • Ecucarga
 

www.reefball.org

 
Fundación Equilibrio Azul© 2006-2008 • E-mail: info@equilibrioazul.org • P.O.BOX. 17116025 • Quito - Ecuador
Diseñado por NM.COM / Fotografía: Felipe Vallejo E.