First Algerian artificial reef O.R.1 in Oran coastline: Construction, immersion and scientific monitoring

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. HighlightsThe study successfully located and marked the submerged reef by installing measuring devices to facilitate future management efforts. After six months of scientific monitoring, the findings revealed significant ecological and economic improvements. The overall richness of the reef increased by a factor of 9.25, indicating substantial ecological recovery. Additionally, the number of fish species observed on the reef has grown, accompanied by a notable recruitment of new individuals. Furthermore, the biomass of three economically valuable fish species increased by approximately 35 kilograms, yielding an economic benefit of 26,100 Algerian dinars per kilogram, equivalent to 144.73 euros per kilogram. These results underscore the reef's ecological recovery and its potential economic contribution to local fisheries.