Suhar – The Environment Authority in North Batinah governorate has completed the first phase of a coral reef development project in Suhar by deploying 100 eco-friendly artificial reefs to create new habitats for marine life, enhance biodiversity, and support the sustainability of ecosystems and fish stocks in the area.

The reefs were lowered to a depth of up to 9m below sea level, within a marine area measuring approximately 20mX15m, said Eng Nasser bin Hamoud Al Yaquobi, Director of the Environment Department in North Batinah.

He described the project as one of a series of environmental interventions designed to create favourable conditions for coral growth and the settlement of marine organisms around the structures.

Al Yaquobi (in picture above) said the initiative aims to strengthen the marine environment, support coral growth, contribute to the development of fish stocks, and provide protection and shelter for juvenile marine life and larvae — improving their chances of reproduction and growth while preserving the region’s ecological balance.

The site will be subject to regular monitoring and assessment to evaluate results and changes during the coming phases, he added.

A team will conduct periodic visits to the deployment site to monitor environmental changes, track the presence and adaptation of marine organisms around the reef, and follow coral growth. This will allow the assessment of the project’s environmental impact, measure its effectiveness, and inform subsequent phases.

Al Yaquobi noted that the project comes amid mounting global challenges facing coral reefs from climate change, rising sea temperatures, and various environmental pressures. A 2024 global assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) found that 44% of warm-water reef-building coral species face the risk of extinction.

The deployment was carried out in cooperation with the Suhar Diving Team and specialists from the Directorate General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in North Batinah, with support from several private-sector institutions — reflecting integrated efforts and partnership among relevant bodies to protect the marine environment and conserve its natural resources.

The project seeks to restore and enhance marine habitats, prepare suitable sites to attract and support the reproduction of marine organisms, and bolster environmental monitoring, surveying, and scientific follow-up — contributing to the conservation and sustainability of marine wildlife.

Coral reefs play a vital role in supporting marine biodiversity by providing shelter, feeding, and breeding grounds for a wide range of marine species. They also support fish stocks, help maintain ecological balance, and strengthen the sustainability of marine ecosystems.