Corals are planted on a man-made reef

A special project of the students and lecturers of the first degree in biology and marine biotechnology at the Ben Gurion campus in Eilat and the university campus in Be'er Sheva

As part of a unique applied research aimed at understanding the processes that enable the construction of coral reefs on the one hand and the preservation of existing reefs on the other, an artificial reef, named "Tamar Reef", was placed in the waters of the Gulf of Eilat at the end of April 2007. Now, after the reef has stabilized chemically and biologically, corals of different species will be planted on it. The planting was carried out between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, on September 17-20, by young divers from Eilat and outside, and under the supervision of the researchers.

This is a complex project that combines ecology, marine biology and sustainable development, and was carried out by Dr. Nadav Shasher from the undergraduate program in marine biology and biotechnology at Ben-Gurion University on the Eilat campus, in collaboration with Prof. Zvi Abramsky from the Department of Life Sciences at Ben-Gurion University and Dr. R. Eric Diamant from the National Aquaculture Center in Eilat, the student Omer Polak, the Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences, the reef association and the Nature and National Parks Authority. The addition and construction of artificial coral reefs and alternative diving sites to the natural reefs, which will disperse the crowd that gathers around them and reduce the pressure on the natural reefs in the area, should provide an optimal solution and answer to a serious problem that has arisen in the area in recent years.

In addition to their beauty, diversity and biological importance, coral reefs are a prime attraction for tourists.
According to the researchers, the number of visitors is large, while the size of the reef is limited and too small. Direct human pressure causes serious damage to the tongue. In most cases, the damage to the corals is caused without bad intention, but the damage to the reef is real. Due to the large number of visitors, the coral reef cannot overcome the damages caused to it and it is fading away. The artificial reef is intended to provide an alternative diving site that will attract some divers from the natural reef. Also, due to its special structure, it is intended to increase the existing diversity in the area where it was established.

Dr. Shasher: "The research challenge in establishing an artificial reef is great and employs researchers from various universities in Israel and around the world. In fact, it is an ecological task in which the researcher must plan in advance most of the components of the ecosystem of the reef and then establish the system so that a developed society that stands on its own is created. The establishment of artificial reefs is part of an innovative concept in nature conservation based on active activity in damaged environments. Designing artificial reefs and active conservation methods are also an important tool in studying and understanding the ecosystem of the coral reef. At the Eilat campus, there is a study program for biology and marine biotechnology for a bachelor's degree, which is unique in Israel. This study is one of the studies in which the students apply the knowledge they have gained in a practical and professional manner."

The reef was established and placed in the water by the Nature and National Parks Authority in April of this year. Since then it has been inhabited by many fish and invertebrates and has become a magnet for divers. The reef has also received a lot of interest from media and researchers from around the world.

However, natural colonization of corals is a long process that requires many years. For this purpose, a coral nursery was established in advance where corals are grown under optimal conditions that allow a fast growth rate. These coral seedlings will be planted on top of the reef according to a strict plan and thus the time until it becomes an active coral reef will be shortened. The approach is largely similar to the operation of an existing foundation and indeed we learn a lot from the knowledge learned from the field of forestry.

The establishment of the reef is a joint project of the Academy and the Nature and Parks Authority and is financed by the US Department of State (USAID-MERC) and a British foundation (Whitely Foundation), as part of Israeli-Jordanian cooperation. The reef was built by the Israeli company OBS in cooperation with the Shonit association. The project will be integrated into the bachelor's degree program in marine biology and marine biotechnology at the Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Eilat Campus.