Artificial reefs are essential to preserve aquatic ecosystems. The municipality of Mersin, Mediterranean province, took a landmark step in this measurement. In one first for the country, reefs printed by 3D printers have been submerged on Friday off the side of the city. Twelve artificial reefs help the conversation of the ecosystem. reef stand out among similar preservation efforts as they are environment-friendly.
The workers lowered the reefs to a depth of 11 meters (36 feet), about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) off the side of the Mezitli district, before the divers placed them correctly on the bottom.
Mersin Mayor Vahap Seçer told Ihlas News Agency (IHA) that the reefs were produced by a company owned by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the project was a joint effort of their municipality, a maritime institute, the Coast Guard and the direction local of Agriculture and forestry. “They are placed in a area frequented by recreational fishermen,” he said, noting that the reefs would provide shelter for the fish that die when caught in abandoned “Phantom” nets. “The marine ecosystem here has been damaged to cause illegal fishing and overfishing. Environmental pollution also the menace “, did he declare. The mayor added that they expected to see the positive results of reefs in a few months. “The reefs soon Be covered with foam and will be home for small fish first then to bigger fish,” he said.
Artificial reefs are mostly made out of unused, abandoned vehicles, from cars to ships and planes. Dry says these also constituted a menace for the environment, but printed reefs were more “organic and do not harm the environment.” He added that they planned to install about 500 more reefs along the coast of Mersina.
