The first artificial reef made of clay bricks in the Philippines that will serve as habitat for marine life was established at Bujada Bay in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

According to Oceana, an international advocacy organization, 90 percent of the coral reefs in the Philippine waters are in moderately good to worst condition, based on a study.

The study said coral reefs that are not in good condition may affect the population of marine organisms, including fish.

In Mati City, an echo-engineered reef system has been put up at the Pujada Bay in Barangay Bobon through the Regional Integrated Coastal Resource Management Center of Davao Oriental State University and its partner non-government organizations.

“This will serve as a habitat of our fishes and other marine organisms. So, we decided to establish an artificial reef on some areas within Pujada Bay na hindi na masyadong healthy ang ating mga coral reefs,” Regional Integrated Coastal Resource Management Center Director Lea Jimenez said.

The group installed the first set of artificial reefs in Mati City for monitoring and they hope that this project will become successful and be replicated and applied to other parts of the country.

The artificial reef made of clay bricks is reportedly safer for marine environment compared to rubber, which is the usual material for making an artificial reef.

“Our algae can actually grow as quickly using the clay material, the clay brick. Once you establish the clay, hindi yan palitan kasi yung clay mismo ay doon tutubo ang nga corals, ang mga baby corals natin through polyps,” Jimenez added.

The echo-engineered reef system that is made of clay was first established in Colombia and Maldives.