Are you ready to help the reef?
Do what you can for the ocean from the comfort of your home.
Congratulations!
You have discovered the Livingseas Coral Project, and this will change the way you look at coral conservation forever!
This Project is for you if, and only if:
You care about the ocean.
You believe the coral reefs are in danger and in need of our help.
You are a responsible human being who has great respect for your environment.
You know the reefs are in danger, right?
You wouldn't be reading this if you thought otherwise...
There are so many pressures on the ocean today, from diver damage; climate change causing bigger storms and waves; unsustainable over development of coastal regions; effluent discharge from residential, industrial, and agricultural human activity; to overfishing and harvesting of coral reefs for building material.
Is there anything we can do about this?
We want to do more...
At Livingseas, we have always believed that one aspect of conservation is better diver education. Diver education plays a really crucial role in preventing more damage to the reef from divers.
Regardless of the amount of students we have taught, we can't teach them all.
Hence even with the impact of training thousands of divers in the region to be better, we can't replace what has already been destroyed.
We want to do more...
We need to create more sustainable actions and positive effects that would be able to outlive our time here on Earth.
And it is with this mindset that we have started the exploration of reef rehabilitation.
In the beginning, we had the physical skills and will, but lacked the technical know-how, so we started doing our research and testing out the different known methods and participated in various projects around the region to gain expertise.
Here's our solution...
After a decade of research, learning, and implementing our own projects, we finally stumbled on to a project in Makassar, Indonesia that held the promise of achieving our goals.
This system is called the Mars Accelerated Coral Reef Rehabilitation System (MARRS).
The system uses coated metal frames called Reef Stars to provide a base to attach corals to. Each Reef Star is about 70 sq cm and allows us to attach up to 18 coral fragments per frame.
All the frames are connect to one another in a mesh network so that it creates a strong stable base that can withstand the waves and current.
Here's how our corals have grown!
Take a step forward
Currently we have 2 sites in Padangbai, Bali that we are rebuilding, called Baung Penyu and Mimpang.
Here's a map of what our sites look like and the area of the reef we hope to recover.
We Have successfully created new habitat!
On our original installation, the corals planted were finger-sized (~10 cm length), and the largest ones you will see in the previous video are about 30 to 40 cm in diameter.
In just 2 years, the corals have not only grown significantly in size, they have thrived! In addition, the fishes and other marine life have also come back!
HERE'S WHERE YOU COME IN...
After our resounding success, we are excited to continue this work.
With the devastation of so much of our seabed, it is even more vital now to act urgently.
For the two sites that we have identified, we are looking at deploying 7000 Reef Stars over the next 2 years.
In order to cover so much (sea) ground, we will need both physical and monetary help
It takes 4 experienced divers, 4 hours to lay 10 Reef Stars per day (diving conditions depending) and the cost of each Reef Star is USD 25 to be fully deployed into the reef.
We used to fund the previous installations through a portion of our trips and some donations, but now, in order to lay that groundwork in time, we are looking for volunteers and donors to come in and help us make it work.
How you can contribute
For less than $1 a day, you can help bring new life to the ocean by donating to the cost of a reef star.
Alternatively...
Come to Bali and join our efforts! Upgrade your skills and help in contributing to the coral ecosystem by putting in your very own Reef Star for the corals to grow.
FAQs
Find the answers to commonly posed queries below.
Have more questions? Email info@livingseas.asia.
Questions about the Livingseas Coral Project
What is the Livingeas Reef Star Program?
As a purpose-driven business and public benefit corporation, Livingseas is unable to accept donations. This program was introduced so that you can directly fund the growth of coral reefs as well as other important pieces of our operation. Think of it as a service. You can choose how many Reef Stars you want to support a month, we will send you a certificate to confirm your support, and our crew will get to work and plant the Reef Stars on your behalf.
Why is it $25?
A Reef Star is $25 because that’s the minimum viable amount of funding we need to deploy one fully attached Reef Star to the seabed. This includes the initial installation, attachment and purchase of coral fragments, and monitoring of the Reef Star for at least 6 months before the corals grow large enough to sustain themselves permanently. We are providing a service, but that doesn’t mean your $25 doesn’t have a huge impact. There is a lot that goes into building a new reef and with your support, our crew are able to get this work done continuously till we complete our mission. Together, we can rebuild reefs and create new habitat for marine life in our oceans.
Is this a tax-deductible donation to Livingseas?
No. As a purpose-driven business and public benefit corporation, Livingseas is unable to accept donations so your subscription purchase is not tax-deductible.
How do I know you planted a Reef Star on my behalf?
Each time our crew head out on a mission, they follow a documentation policy to ensure everything is done legally and safely. We will log the number of Reef Stars deployed each mission, and chart their positions on our map. This will then be reflected on our portal along with clear and transparent reports sent out monthly to all our supporters.
How soon do I receive my email certificate?
Immediately after checkout, you’ll receive an email that confirms the Reef Stars you’ve helped to support. It will include a certificate that can easily be shared on your social media channels or even printed.
Can I customize my email certificate?
Right now, we do not have the ability to customize our email certificates but are working diligently to change that. In the future, we look forward to including both your name and the number of Reef Stars you have sponsored.
What currency is my purchase in?
All purchases are in United States Dollars (USD).
What if I want a refund?
If you’re unsatisfied with your Reef Star subscription for any reason at all, please contact our Customer Advocates at info@livingseas.asia within 30 days of purchase. Please provide the reason you were unsatisfied with your purchase. Once your refund request is processed, your funds will post back to your original payment method within 3–5 business days. Refund requests made after 30 days from purchase will not be accepted.
Who actually does the Reef Star deployment and coral planting?
We do it ourselves! This is not outsourced to someone else. Livingseas full-time, professional crews will deploy the Reef Stars on your behalf. Our crews are made up of experienced individuals who have been doing this for years. Occasionally we do get guests who choose to participate in this activity and contribute their time and efforts to the project. If you would like to participate as well, please go here to make a booking. https://beabetterdiver.livingseas.asia/bali#_sbbj5f8ix
Where do your crews operate?
Our crews are working hard seven days a week in Padangbai, Bali. As our business grows, so will our ability to deploy more Reef Stars to accelerate the rehabilitation of the reef in Bali.
What if I want to support more apart from the subscriptions?
First, that’s amazing. Second, you can reach out directly to our customer service team to help you with your inquiry by emailing info@livingseas.asia.
Why is rehabilitating the coral reef so important?
The ocean is the largest ecosystem on Earth. It provides the air we breathe as it generates over half the oxygen on the planet and at any given moment, 97% of the world’s water can be found in the ocean. This is vital as up to 1/6th of the world’s protein comes from the ocean. It also acts as our biggest combatant to climate change because the ocean is our biggest absorber of carbon dioxide in the world. The coral reefs form the bedrock of this ecosystem, without coral reefs that provide habitat for other marine species, then the entire ecosystem falls apart.
Does using Reef Stars to rehabilitate the coral reefs really help?
Yes! We have done various studies to gauge how well the coral is growing as compared to other structures and methods of rehabilitation. In terms of the ease of logistics and deployment, low mortality rates, the overall cost per coral fragment planted, this system far outperforms other methods. Without placing these structures to create substrate for coral, the natural coral cover would never grow back. The sandy seafloor would prevent corals from getting a permanent hold on the seabed, and over time, the desertification of the reef would only continue without any intervention.
How did the Livingseas Coral Project get started?
The Livingseas Coral Project was founded on in Bali, Indonesia, where Livingseas founder Leon Boey ran a dive centre. Seeing with firsthand that the reef was not recovering on its own, a plan was created to use the diving skills and staff and customer involvement to positively impact both the reef and the hearts of the divers that came to Livingseas.
Are there other ways for me to get involved?
There are a number of ways to make an impact with the coral reefs. While continuing with the monthly subscription is a great start, you can also do any one of the following:
- Learn to improve your dive skills by taking a buoyancy course or workshop
- Spread the awareness of the importance of the coral reefs to other divers and friends
- Join us in Bali to participate directly in the project by volunteering your time
How can I continue to receive updates from Livingseas?
You can follow us on all major social media platforms @livingseas.asia. You can also sign up for our newsletter on our website. Our emails are filled with monthly updates on our deployment operations, organizational announcements, exclusive offers, trending news, and much more.
How do I get in touch with Livingseas?
Email info@livingseas.asia, or chat on WhatsApp at wa.me/659641658
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