Artificial Reefs

	In an attempt to enhance the marine biodiversity of the Gulf of Mannar and increase in productivity of the marine spieces ,the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF)has fabricated artificial reefs for deployment in coastal waters.
	A total of 110 concrete modules of artificial reefs have been developed and they would be deployed about 14km north east of Tuticorin coast near "Vaan Theevu" The Foundation had developed these modules at a cost of Rs.5 lakh sponsored by the Union Ministry of Rural Development Programme (UNDP). The modules were developed in a period of six months with the technical inputs from the Central Marine Fisheries research Institute(CMFRI) at Tuticorin. This will be the first time in the country that artificial reefs in such large scale are to be deployed by involving local fisherman
	The Foundation undertook the artificial reefs project in view of reduction of coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar due to exploitation and coral mining over the years leading to reduction in fish production.
	Coral reefs are breeding and feeding grounds for fishes,crabs and lobsters.It is also a place where other marine organisms to grow. Artificial reefs are those that mimics the coral reefs.They slowly become natural reef once Polyps , a marine organism that produces coral,starts settling them. Artificial reefs if undisturbed would become natural reefs in 3 years. In order to ensure that artificial reefs were not disturbed once deployed, the Foundation has planned to involve local fisherman from Threspuram in Tuticorin, to protect and moniter them, says Dr.S. Babu,Senior Scientist ,MSSRF,Tuticorin Unit.
	Courtesy - The Hindu Dated 29th Jan 2003