ReefSystems: Bringing life back to the oceans
Preserving an essential ecosystem
While the Amazonian forest is often considered the lungs of the planet, this title actually belongs to the oceans. Marine ecosystems are responsible for at least 50% of the Earth’s oxygen, with planktons and algae being essential to this process. If that wasn’t enough, oceans also serve as an amazing carbon sink, provide an essential source of revenue and food for billions of people. Unfortunately, human activities are heavily disrupting marine ecosystems with overfishing and by-catches endangering countless species. ReefSystems aims to reverse this cycle, developing coastal construction systems which also serve as artificial habitats for local marine species.
ReefSystems: Bringing life back to the oceans
Preserving an essential ecosystem
While the Amazonian forest is often considered the lungs of the planet, this title actually belongs to the oceans. Marine ecosystems are responsible for at least 50% of the Earth’s oxygen, with planktons and algae being essential to this process. If that wasn’t enough, oceans also serve as an amazing carbon sink, provide an essential source of revenue and food for billions of people. Unfortunately, human activities are heavily disrupting marine ecosystems with overfishing and by-catches endangering countless species. ReefSystems aims to reverse this cycle, developing coastal construction systems which also serve as artificial habitats for local marine species.
ReefSystems: Bringing life back to the oceans
Preserving an essential ecosystem
While the Amazonian forest is often considered the lungs of the planet, this title actually belongs to the oceans. Marine ecosystems are responsible for at least 50% of the Earth’s oxygen, with planktons and algae being essential to this process. If that wasn’t enough, oceans also serve as an amazing carbon sink, provide an essential source of revenue and food for billions of people. Unfortunately, human activities are heavily disrupting marine ecosystems with overfishing and by-catches endangering countless species. ReefSystems aims to reverse this cycle, developing coastal construction systems which also serve as artificial habitats for local marine species.
Business Creation.
How the project came to life
Jesse de Bont and Max Dijkstra had marine biodiversity at heart way before they co-founded ReefSystems. Jesse felt the responsibility to protect marine ecosystems, having scuba-dived around the world and witnessing the direct impact of human activity on coral reefs. Max shared the same drive, being fascinated by oceans since his childhood. This drive followed him throughout University where he studied product design and presented the first prototype for Reefsystems’ first marine life habitat, MOSES, as a graduation project. The two entrepreneurs soon realized the potential of this prototype and started working on wave breaker and dike projects around the Netherlands. MOSES help secure key coastal locations while allowing marine species to find shelter and food. This success allowed them to develop other reef preservation systems that would protect marine life at local levels.
Max Dijkstra and Jesse de Bont installing MOSES for the marineterrein project in 2020.
Max Dijkstra and Jesse de Bont installing MOSES for the marineterrein project in 2020.
Max Dijkstra and Jesse de Bont installing MOSES for the marineterrein project in 2020.
“As a designer, I want to use my creativity to set a positive change in motion for beloved oceans.”
Max Dijkstra, Co-founder of ReefSystems
Dual Value Proposition.
MOSES, SPECTER, and Reefpool are all designed to adapt marine construction to fish migration routes.
Adapting design to marine life
ReefSystems currently provides 3 different solutions designed to develop marine life in different areas. Their first product, MOSES, is exceptionally versatile, being able to provide shelter to microorganisms, corals, or crustaceans. SPECTER, allows municipalities to introduce aquatic plants and microorganisms along canals or rivers, which will then serve as food and shelter for multiple fish species. Their last project to date, Reefpool, is a dike reinforcement and wave breaker unit made from 80% natural resources, designed to attract crustaceans back to the shorelines. All the Reefsystems’ projects put the emphasis on reintroducing species in areas where human activity disrupted their environment. This drive to protect ecosystems through innovative designs led multiple organizations to trust them with marine biodiversity and aquatic wall projects.
Adapting design to marine life
ReefSystems currently provides 3 different solutions designed to develop marine life in different areas. Their first product, MOSES, is exceptionally versatile, being able to provide shelter to microorganisms, corals, or crustaceans. SPECTER, allows municipalities to introduce aquatic plants and microorganisms along canals or rivers, which will then serve as food and shelter for multiple fish species. Their last project to date, Reefpool, is a dike reinforcement and wave breaker unit made from 80% natural resources, designed to attract crustaceans back to the shorelines. All the Reefsystems’ projects put the emphasis on reintroducing species in areas where human activity disrupted their environment. This drive to protect ecosystems through innovative designs led multiple organizations to trust them with marine biodiversity and aquatic wall projects.
MOSES, SPECTER, and Reefpool are all designed to adapt marine construction to fish migration routes.
MOSES, SPECTER, and Reefpool are all designed to adapt marine construction to fish migration routes.
Our Insights.
Showcasing purpose and expertise
Circular Stories had the chance to work with ReefSystems as they were entering the Dutch Postcode Lottery sustainability competition. In order to stand out from other contestants, ReefSystems needed to do more than pitch their innovation. They needed to show their drive and passion for marine preservation, proving under one minute that they were the experts that could restore life to Dutch water systems. Circular Stories helped them shape this message, sharing insights about brand storytelling and product presentation. We then produced a brand video that would allow ReefSystems to showcase its mission and expertise way beyond the Postcode Lottery competition.
International projects.
Looking way beyond the Netherlands
Years of experience in the field taught Jesse de Bont and Max Dijkstra that while biodiversity projects in the Netherlands were essential, they could also do more in other areas of the world. This ambition led them to Kenya where they worked together with Boskalis, REEFolution Kenya, and the Wageningen University on a coral restoration project in an area that had been severely damaged by dynamite fishing. ReefSystems is also conducting a research project in Panama, in collaboration with Boskalis as well as local experts like the Reef2Reef Foundation, where they are testing the efficiency of MOSES in remote areas.
Adopting a circular mindset
ReefSystems managed to address one of the greatest challenges of the circular economy. The maritime construction industry tends to focus on efficiency and profits, leaving environmental considerations to the side. Notwithstanding, Jesse and Max are finding creative solutions to bring ecological value to these construction projects. Like many circular enterprises, their success is also due to the international network of public and private organizations that facilitate their work. If anything, the amazing projects that Reefsystems has set in motion, show that they are fully committed to bringing back life to our rivers, seas, and oceans.
Meet the Circular Stories Team!
Do you want to position yourself as a frontrunner of circular business? Circular Stories can help you build your communication strategy in record time!
Whether you want to reach out to investors or new customers, our Video Brand Story program will help you stay in the mind of your audience!
Learn more about what video branding can do for your business right here:
Do you want to position yourself as a frontrunner of circular business? Circular Stories can help you build your communication strategy in record time!
Whether you want to reach out to investors or new customers, our Video Brand Story program will help you stay in the mind of your audience!
Learn more about what video branding can do for your business right here:
Do you want to position yourself as a frontrunner of circular business? Circular Stories can help you build your communication strategy in record time!
Whether you want to reach out to investors or new customers, our Video Brand Story program will help you stay in the mind of your audience!
Learn more about what video branding can do for your business right here:
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