Help Rebuild the Gulf of Mexico Barrier Reef

Dear Supporters,

Coral reef conservation and restoration is our main objective in the Marine Conservation program of Puerto Morelos, which goes hand in hand with the number 14 sustainable development goal of the United Nations: Life Below Water “Careful management of this essential global resource”. 

This last Quarter, 21 volunteers joined us in the GVI Puerto Morelos HUB to make a difference in the protection and restoration of the coral reef ecosystem. Daily our volunteers participated in laboratory activities for the Coral Restoration Program of our in country partner the Regional Research Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture (CRIAP). Achieving a total of 478 hours of manpower collaborating with our partners with the daily activities in the laboratory. 

Besides the laboratory work, our team got several opportunities to collaborate with our partners in several activities in the field: 

-October 16, Conch Shell population evaluation in Chinchorro Bank. 

-November 25, In situ coral fragmentation or cloning and relocation as well as coral nursery maintenance in the reef of Contoy Island. 

-December 2, In situ coral fragmentation or cloning and relocation as well as coral nursery maintenance in the reef of Cancun. #

Apart from helping our partners, volunteers learned about the coral reef ecosystem, it’s inhabitants and the hazards they face. The got to have a first-hand look of this sublime ecosystem while either learning of the different species of coral that form this leaving underwater cities and its diseases or the different species of fish that are associated with them reef ecosystem and that are used as indicators of reef health. 

Nine of the volunteers surpassing the learning challenge and being able to collect data of the health of the coral reef for our partners to use in the divulgation of the current state of this ecosystem and to use as a baseline for the proper management of the coral reefs. 

With all this work, our team of staff and volunteers still found time to undertake a fundraising challenge, Rally for the Reef on November 8. Joining in in several teams, tackling different challenges that culminated in a massive beach clean up in one of Puerto Morelos beaches. With all of this our volunteers were able to raise $1’068 USD which will be used to help our in country partner buy materials and equipment they gravely need to continue with the coral restoration program. With previous fund the Puerto Morelos team was able to help our in country partner training and certifying their staff in Emergency First Responder skills as well as help them acquire diving insurance for their members to continue doing the amazing work of restoring the coral reefs. 

With the generous help from our supporters and donors all of this wonderful work couldn’t have been accomplished without your help. A great shout out to you all!!!

Thank you!!! 

With Gratituide,

Mexico Marine