Fujairah: A total of 25 man-made reef structures have been deployed as part of an international project to rehabilitate the world's ocean reef ecosystems and to protect the natural reef systems off Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort.
The extensive project began in June 2009 with 14 reefs and was inspected yesterday by divers from Al Boom Diving and volunteers from the resort.
To date, more than Dh100,000 has been invested in the project.
"This project reflects our dedication to the research into aquatic life on the East Coast and is a key platform to our environmental programme," Patrick Antaki, General Manager, Le Méridien Al Aqah, said.
"The effects are already visible and we are laying the foundation to sustain marine life for future generations.
"The artificial reef is already a viable fish reef. All of the needed plankton and plant life is growing on the reef and in time we hope to see signs of corals," he added.
The reef block structures are artificial reef modules placed in the ocean to form reef habitat.
They take about five years to mature.
