Marine conservation education, community networking, and consultations have been completed in 15 coastal communities in the Bacuit Bay area. Fifteen no-take zones, totaling 962 hectares of reef and ocean, have now been mapped and are being formalized by the villages and zoning departments. Plans for the rest of 2005 include conducting a series of reef education and coastal management education programs in the villages to further strengthen the long-term success of the project. The EcoReef restoration portion of the project is estimated to begin in late 2005 or early 2006.

Validation of the marine zone areas in conjunction with governmental and nongovernmental agencies is taking place. Community groundwork, networking and consultations have been completed in 14 coastal communities in the vicinity of Bacuit Bay. These consultations became a venue for coral reef education and a forum for community leaders to decide where to create no-take zones. Fifteen zones have now been determined. Another round of consultations and more specific planning for the EcoReef portion of the project is underway. It is estimated that reef restoration can begin in spring 2005.