Nerja plans to create artificial reef off coast

NERJA Town Hall will discuss the possibility of sinking two wooden ships to the seabed off the local coast to create an artificial reef to encourage underwater flora and fauna.

The local councillor for the Environment, Nieves Atencia, announced that the town hall will ask for collaboration from the Junta de Andalucia for this project which has been named ‘Protection of the Seabed, marine phanerogam prairies” as well as all the necessary permits.

The ships would be sunk off the Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs Natural Area, and it is hoped that it will raise awareness amongst local residents of the importance of caring for the area.

The councillor explained that the project would lead to a larger fish population in the area and attract recreational divers, which is an important tourist attraction.

Over the past years, “the seabed has deteriorated progressively” she said, “which has worried the local diving centre and divers who want to help find a solution to the problem”.

Photo credit: perryplanet