Scientists building Giant Concrete Reef
13 October 2007
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Israeli scientists are building a giant concrete reef to lure more divers and snorkelers to the Red Sea without endangering one of the world’s most diverse coral communities.
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“People and coral don’t really go together,” Nadav Shashar, a marine ecologist at Israel’s Ben Gurion University told Reuters. “What we are trying to do is give an alternative option. Go and see the artificial habitat — if you damage it we can replace it.”
Hulking blocks of concrete might not appeal to divers used to weaving between wild, multi-colored plant life. But after just a few months in the water the reef has attracted more than 20 species of fish.
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At the moment the concrete blocks look stark. But Israeli and Jordanian researchers are growing rare species of coral in nurseries and hope to create a flourishing community within 2-5 years — a feat that might take up to 100 years in the wild.
Once the coral is ready, divers “plant” it into holes drilled into the concrete blocks.
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The project will also provide a research base for marine ecologists since some 40 different types of coral are clustered on a 10-metre strip of Red Sea coral reef compared to four or five on the same area on Australia’s famed Great Barrier Reef.
The artificial reef, near Eilat’s popular Coral Beach diving spot, was started as an experiment but researchers say if it proves a hit with divers and protects the reef, it could be replicated elsewhere.
“I volunteered to dive and plant the new coral,” said Naom Mordach from Jerusalem after a session plugging coral into the concrete. “I really enjoyed the diving … and I think it’s important to save the sea.”
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