First Algerian artificial reef O.R.1 in Oran coastline: Construction, immersion and scientific monitoring
Hussein, K.B.; Bensahla-Talet, L.; Chakouri, A. (2025). First Algerian artificial reef O.R.1 in Oran coastline: Construction, immersion and scientific monitoring. Maritime Technology and Research 7(3): 275189. https://dx.doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2025.275189
In: Maritime Technology and Research. Faculty of International Maritime Studies: Thailand. e-ISSN 2651-205X, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Hussein, K.B.
- Bensahla-Talet, L.
- Chakouri, A.
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| Abstract |
The first Algerian implantation of artificial reefs in Oran coastline was carried out on an experimental basis with the main objective to diversify and increase fishing potentialities along the Algerian coasts. University Oran1 Ahmed BENBELLA, the marine ecology association Barbarous, the Directorate of Fisheries and Fishery Resources of Oran (DPRH), and the Ministry of Fisheries and Fish Resources (MPRH) sought to direct fishing to a more sustainable fishing with more appropriate resource management. To this end, an artificial reef was implanted in order to increase biodiversity and fish biomass. O.R.1 (Oran Reef one) consisted of 68 modules, with two structures of 34 modules; each structure had a superposed form to create a chaotic structure (one to the East, and one to the West), with a total surface of 15 m2. Immersion was at 30m depth on a sandy substrate, with the immersion campaign lasting for 4 months, from April to July 2015. The scientific monitoring of the artificial reef allowed the authors to follow the evolution of structures (e.g., siltation) and biomass estimation of fauna and flora inhabiting the structure. After six months of immersion, monitoring in and around both structures reported the presence of more than 37 species, distributed among algae, mollusks gastropods, sponges and fish. Also, it was noticed that the number of species inventoried near the reef had been increasing since the beginning of monitoring, especially the biomass of fish such as red porgy, common two-banded seabream, black head seabream, amberjacks, scorpionfish, rainbow wrasse, and comber. |
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