Home / Environment / Boats Sink to Build Europe's Oldest Artificial Reef
Boats Sink to Build Europe's Oldest Artificial Reef
4 Sep
Summary
- Former diver created an underwater habitat using sunken boats.
- Over 30 vessels strategically sunk to boost marine life.
- The project became a diplomatic dispute in 2013.
Former Army diver Eric Shaw initiated a unique marine conservation effort in 1973, aiming to revitalize Gibraltar's sandy seabed. He proposed using sunken vessels to create an artificial reef, providing essential structures for marine life to settle, hide, and breed.
This innovative idea evolved into Gibraltar's Artificial Reef Project, officially dating back to 1975. Over the decades, more than 30 boats have been intentionally sunk and prepared to minimize environmental risks. These submerged structures offer vital hard surfaces and shelter, fostering a diverse marine ecosystem.
Originally a barren area, the seabed has become a thriving habitat, with assessments showing a significant rise in vertebrate and invertebrate species. This project highlights the effectiveness of artificial reefs in enhancing biodiversity, particularly where natural hard habitats are limited.
The reef project also became entangled in a diplomatic dispute in 2013. Spain's fishermen protested the placement of concrete blocks for another artificial reef, claiming it hindered their access to traditional fishing grounds, underscoring the complex interplay between conservation and geopolitical tensions.
