Some Rotary projects are small, but impactful, and some are large, but partnerships between Rotary clubs makes a huge impact. This is a great story about how a giant artificial reef in the shape of the Rotary wheel is restoring marine live and protecting the livelihood of several fishing villages in the Philippines. The wheel has helped restore the local fishing industry, which was devastated by large-scale commercial fishing vessels that used dynamite, cyanide, and fine mesh nets from the late 1990s through the early 2000s.
In 2005, the fishermen turned to the Rotary Club of Atimonan, Quezon Province, Philippines, for help. They decided to build an artificial reef. The club partnered with the Rotary Club of Madera, California, USA, on a Rotary Foundation grant to help fund the project, which would cost more than $1 million. Click here to read more about this great Rotary project.