Marine Sanctuary Relaunch
The relaunch of the marine sanctuary at Crimson Resort Mactan serves as a clarion call for continued conservation efforts. It underscores the necessity of protecting our natural resources and the profound impact that dedicated restoration projects can have on the environment. As visitors marvel at the revived sanctuary, they are reminded of their role in preserving the delicate balance of our marine ecosystems.
In a remarkable effort to preserve and rejuvenate Lapu-Lapu’s rich marine biodiversity, Crimson Resort Mactan proudly relaunched its 8- hectare marine sanctuary on June 29, 2024. This significant event marks a pivotal moment in the hotel’s conservation journey, which aims to restore the underwater paradise that Typhoon Odette devastated.
David Gotianun, Vice President and Special Projects Head of SharePro Inc. leads this ambitious rehabilitation project along with his partner Serena Cualoping and Crimson’s dive master Rofel Mendoza. Their concerted efforts have seen the propagation and transplantation of local coral species, breathing new life into the once-battered sanctuary. This initiative is a testament to human resilience and a critical step towards sustaining the vibrant marine ecosystem of Mactan.
Budding Hope
A passionate diver, David felt the need to rehabilitate the once vibrant sanctuary. Six months from the typhoon David and Serena started the most important part of the marine sanctuary rehabilitation – developing coral nurseries that will support the rehab of the sanctuary. Coral fragments in the area were transplanted in rocks to give them stability for growth in the hopes of giving them new life. Then another method of coral nursery was introduced to see if this will yield better result and faster growth.
Along with the leisure team, David and the core group including dive master Rofel Mendoza maintains the daily and monthly routine required. Multiple methods, months of cultivation, dives, observation, measuring and recording.
When the corals are ready, they will be transplanted to different areas in the sanctuary where they can then grow to their full size. As of now, the nursery program proves to be developing well and when sustained will be able to rehabilitate not only the resort’s sanctuary but provide healthy corals that can repopulate the reefs of the Hilutungan Channel and bring back the vibrancy of the marine ecosystem in the area.
