Project Overview

On the 13rd of June 2015, the Mare Nostrum NGO And the Van Oord Company have placed eight artificial reefs beside the Casino in Constanta.
The action was part of the “Research and REstoration of the Essential Filter of the Sea – REEFS” project, financed by the European Union, trough Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Programme 2007-2013.
The purpose of the project was to increase the biodiversity and water quality in the Black Sea zone.
The eight cilindrical structures built from polypropylene, by the Bulgarian partner of the project, with a 7 meters height and a 2,5 meters diameter were brought by a barge near the breakwater of the Constanta Harbor. Here they were sank by the Van Oord DMC divers at a 11 meters depth and strongly anchored with 3 tons weights, which will keep the structures in place. The reefs were placed at a 25 meters distance between them and they were signaled with a bright beacon and a radar detectable device.
Theese will contribute to the restoration of the Black Sea filters , by ensuring a reproduction place for a variety of sea organsims, like the black mussels. At maturity each mussel can filter up to 50 liters of sea water a day.