Constructing the Artificial Reef
Now that the metal frames were secured, we began placing the 3D-printed ceramic structures onto them:
- Stacking the ceramic units – Ezri Tarazi and Oren Arbel led the precise assembly of the reef.
- Assisting as a free diver – I worked with Jay, a local diver, to lower ceramic components gently onto the metal frames.
- Immediate Marine Life Activity – Even before we finished, small reef fish started investigating the structure.
Final Dive at “The Cathedral”
One of our last dives was at The Cathedral, a dive site notorious for high abundance of sharks from all kinds. Earlier this year, Oren Levy and David Kline constructed other type of artificial reef to asses the growing rates and create an alternative for the larger structure.
The small artificial reef structure is made from ceramics and it was made in Ezri’s Lab using 3D ceramic printer.
We observed in the site:
- Invertebrates settling on the artificial reef.
- Coral fragments beginning to attach and tissue fuse to the ceramic surface.
- Sharks circling the area, confirming its importance as a marine hotspot.
Final Thoughts
The artificial reef we built will continue evolving, and the data we collected will contribute to understanding coral resilience and restoration methods.
On a personal note, I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this project. I hope that in the coming years, the artificial reef we established during this expedition will grow into a thriving coral habitat that supports and enhances the biodiversity of the region.
In the years ahead, representatives from the research team are expected to return to monitor coral growth and biodiversity on these structures. This ongoing research will be complemented by continuous monitoring and care from the local community of Beqa Lagoon, Fiji, ensuring the long-term success and impact of the project.
This project is the result of a collaborative effort between:
- Oren Levy’s Lab for Marine Molecular Ecology (LMME), Bar-Ilan University
- Ezri Tarazi’s Lab, Technion
- Pacific Blue Foundation
