RECYCLED REEF

Underwater ecosystems are threatened by excessive fishing, improper anchoring, pollution, and construction in the coastal area. The restoration of the underwater habitat, especially the areas where fish reproduce, is necessary for the increase of the fish stock, but also for the preservation of the health of the Adriatic Sea. Sandy-muddy seabed is as a desert for undersea ecosystems, although it can be transformed into areas of greater biodiversity by placing artificial undersea reefs.

Artificial underwater reefs are anthropogenic constructions, placed on the seabed to promote marine life in areas of reduced biodiversity. Materials for the construction of reef structures (concrete, metals, stone blocks and others) must be inert, chemically stable in seawater, physically long-lasting, and must not represent new possible sources of chemical or physical pollution.

The artificial underwater reef “Recycle reef” project is the idea of the Center for Underwater Research Navalis, aiming to establish better management, and obtain new value from recycled construction waste. “Recycle reef” is made of recycled construction waste and chemically inert cement, and represents a novelty in the construction of artificial underwater structures.

Thanks to a donation from the Adris Foundation, a total of 12 “Recycle reef” reefs were installed in the seabed of Šimuni beach on the island of Pag. Built from different types of construction waste, placed at different depths, in individual and cooperative formations.

The aim of this research is to make a study on the impact of artificial undersea reefs on the environment, about which there is still no data in Croatia. The study will facilitate the installation of artificial reefs throughout Croatia, and this work will be the basis for the development of this, still underrepresented, ecological practice in the Republic of Croatia.