At first, the idea seemed almost unrealistic, especially since no legal support paved the way for the realization of this ambitious artificial reef project. However, the perseverance of the members of these associations ended up moving things forward, thus contributing to the emergence of a collective awareness about the importance of regenerating marine areas that have suffered from pollution.

In 2015, the marine ecological association Barbarous of Oran, in the west of the country, led the way in a first at the national level by proceeding with the immersion of an artificial reef in the Bay of Bousfer. One year later, the "Hippone Sub" association of Annaba, in the east of the country, followed suit and submerged its first metal frame in the depths of Ras El Hamra.

These pioneering projects led to the promulgation of an executive decree that governs artificial reefs in Algeria and widely opened the door to innovative ideas dedicated to the preservation, regeneration of marine ecosystems and the protection of fisheries heritage.

Over time, gradually but steadily, life is being reborn in multiple areas of the seabeds along Algeria's coastline. What was initially a small artificial reef project has become a true challenge for sea enthusiasts in Algeria, and its educational dimension has quickly captivated the attention of several universities and institutes of marine biology.

 

Over 130 animal and plant species have returned to once barren seabeds

 

"The immersion of the first pilot artificial reef, consisting of concrete modules, in Bousfer Bay was not only a powerful moment crowning long efforts, but above all demonstrated that we can do a lot to protect the seabeds, combat illegal fishing, foster a blue economy and sustainable tourism," confides Amine Chakouri, president of the Barbarous marine ecology association, to APS.

 And he adds enthusiastically: "The results of the pilot project were very satisfactory, because six months after immersing the reef, we counted 38 animal and plant species. Within a year, the number rose to 75 species."

Currently, new species are still arriving, finding a place to live and reproduce, and the reef has become "a scientific aquarium" for academics and biologists, affirms Mr. Chakouri.

The realization of this project earned the association the "Best Practice in Research and Data Collection on Artisanal Fisheries" award at the 2018 High-Level Conference on Artisanal Fisheries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea organized by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM).

For Karim Chikhi, president of the "Hippone Sub" club in Annaba, the immersion in 2016 of the artificial reef composed of 5 modules of 100 m2, mounted on a metal frame in the depths of Ras El Hamra, was "the culmination of a long and complicated journey that the club believed in."

Since 2016, some 55 living species of different fish, mollusks and crustaceans as well as plant species necessary for biodiversity have populated 'the sea houses of Annaba', and the regeneration of ecosystems is happening gradually with the return to the region of several fish species finding their former habitat in these artificial reefs. 

In 2017, the promulgation of Executive Decree 17-363 of December 25, 2017, establishing the procedures for creating artificial reefs, confirmed a collective awareness of the importance of implementing these devices to protect the marine ecosystem and unleash initiatives.

The decree decentralized the decision-making for approving artificial reef immersion requests, giving local authorities, through multisectoral commissions, the prerogatives of approval and the responsibility of ensuring their sustainability, notes Naima Mouchouka, the deputy director of artisanal, coastal and offshore fishing at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Productions, in a statement to APS. 

She adds that through this decree, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Productions supports stakeholders, associations, researchers or bodies in their actions aimed at immersing artificial reefs made of non-polluting materials, noting that the reefs can be for "protection" (anti-trawling reefs), reducing the nuisances linked to illegal trawling in the coastal strip, or "landscape reefs" whose role is recreational for underwater diving and recreational fishing. 

It can also involve production reefs (veritable fish houses, creators of biodiversity and biomass). 

Since then, several projects have been launched in various coastal provinces, thanks to a vast cooperation program between associations dedicated to protecting the seabed and national universities. Artificial reefs have also opened the door to training in maritime trades such as marine welding. 

International cooperation has also been established in this field.