Experimental undersea structure attracts first organisms
Ljubljana, 1 August - An undersea structure installed a kilometre off the Slovenian coast in March as part of a project to develop an innovative way of farming indigenous marine organisms and monitor marine biodiversity has attracted first residents.
Piran
The Piran Sea Oasis, an undersea structure installed a kilometre off the Slovenian coast as part of a project to develop an innovative way of farming indigenous marine organisms and monitor marine biodiversity.
Photo: Borut Furlan
Piran
The Piran Sea Oasis, an undersea structure installed a kilometre off the Slovenian coast as part of a project to develop an innovative way of farming indigenous marine organisms and monitor marine biodiversity.
Photo: Borut Furlan
The structure, made of concrete, iron and calcium carbonate rocks and measuring 5.5 metres in length and 3.5 metres in width, was installed by the YouSea non-profit institution for the protection of diversity of marine ecosystems.
In less than four months after the structure was installed, polychaetes and bryozoa have settled on it, and sea snail eggs have also been observed. Various species of fish also regularly visit the structure.
YouSea director Irena Fonda has told the STA that they would like to see oyster larvae settle the structure, which would serve as a basis for farming oysters in such a manner. However, no oyster larvae have been noticed so far.
In the summer months, when the sea temperature is higher, monitoring is carried out once a week, and in the colder months it will be less frequent, Fonda said, noting that it is important not to disturb the organisms settled on the structure.
The three-metre tall structure, dubbed the Piran Sea Oasis, is also visited by snorkelers.
Fonda noted that only experienced snorkelers should do this, as the structure is 12 metres below the surface. Snorkeling is the best way to observe the marine life on the structure, as the bubbles from the breathing equipment disturb the fish.