Innovareef Concept for Recovery and Rehabilitation of Coral Reef Ecosystems

Abstract

Innovareef is an innovative design concept to make the world's marine conservation approach balanced, harmonious, and sustainable. The coral reef degradation problem does not just happen in Thailand but around the world; it is intensified and widespread. If such a situation continues without correction or solution, corals will be depleted from the sea. In the past, several agencies have attempted to fix this problem by restoring coral reefs in different ways. Accordingly, one of the common solutions is to use discontinued materials, such as motorcycles, tanks, tires, PVC pipes, or square cement bars, as artificial corals. However, these materials have become visual pollution and may contain environmental toxins. With such a problem, design and traditional materials need an innovation to increase their efficiency and have good visuals. Leading to the development of Innovareef, a new model of artificial coral reef and product creation was designed based on new product developments and in-depth interview data collection from specialists. This model aims to guide product developments with natural beauty to fix visual pollution and reduce the burden of coral reefs in marine tourism.