Dubai Reef project launched in Dubai

Dubai has started construction of a new grandiose attraction Dubai Reef. In the coastal waters of the emirate at the first stage it is planned to place 1000 reef modules, which will provide food and shelter for fish and inhabitants of the sea depths.

Thus, Dubai hopes to restore the marine ecosystem and give a new start to the development of the ecotourism industry. Within three years, a total of 20,000 reef modules will be installed over an area of 600 square kilometres, which could create 400,000 cubic metres of coral reefs.

Ahmed bin Thani, director general of Dubai’s Environment and Climate Change Authority, said the project plays a key role in restoring coral reef habitat, protecting the coast and revitalising marine biodiversity along the emirate’s coastline.

The project will also help increase fish stocks, enhance sustainable fishing opportunities and improve food security. The reefs will last more than 100 years and will stimulate the labour market, leisure, ecotourism and scientific research.

The first module (fish cube) is a 10-tonne structure with an internal volume of 32 square metres, while the second (reef shade) is a 2.4-tonne unit that will help coral growth and populations of bottom fish, including hammerhead and sheri.

The third structure is called (sea pyramid) weighs 1.5 tonnes: it will create a habitat familiar to coral reef ecosystems.

Source: The National