Rotary Reefs

We began designing Rotary Reefs at the beginning of the Covid Pandemic when our President, Steve Bender was stranded on a Rotary Club Project in Bocas del Toro, Panama because the international airport in Panama City closed.

A PADI “Master Diver”, Steve noticed the absence of fish and live coral while snorkeling. 

He contacted the head of Caribbean Coral Restoration Center, Doug Marcy and shared his ideas of creating mini–Rotary Reefs and one large 100’ Rotary reef to celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Panama.  

The two met and Steve was so impressed with Doug’s Passion, he decided that this would be the perfect partnership and club project for the 2022-2023 Rotary Year and beyond! 

They quickly started formulating designs and plans, then created three mini– “Rotary Reefs” to study and have a “proof of concept”

All three reefs situated in different areas of the Bocas del Toro; Archipelago have far exceeded everyone’s expectations! 

Clubs Have three ways they can support this project:

1. Sponsor a 6 ft Mini Reef for $1,950
2. Help Sponsor a 3 D printer to create future Rotary Mini reef/hotels
3. Help sponsor the 100ft Rotary Wheel 

This project helps educate children of the importance of reefs, employees locals to help build and place the reefs, as well as creating an environment to help bring back more fish for the Ngobe Indigenous communities to sell and eat.