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Since March, YouSea, the marine biodiversity conservation research institute, has been studying the possibility of using the underwater structure to obtain native marine life for cultivation, and the structure already has its first inhabitants. The structure sank a kilometer off the Slovenian coast.
Over three months later, polychaetes, bryozoans and mosses have colonized the structure. Snail eggs have also been observed and various fish species frequent it.
Irena Fonda, director of the YouSea Institute, told STA that they hoped young oysters would settle on the structure so they could be farmed in this way, but so far this has not attracted attention.
In the summer, when sea temperatures are higher, observations are kept for about a week, and in the colder months the frequency is reduced. As Fonda points out, it is important to disturb the inhabitants of the structure as little as possible.
This structure, known as the Piran Sea Oasis, is also visited by many snorkelers. According to her, more experience is needed in this area, because the structure is located at a depth of 12 meters, which is the best way to observe life on the structure, otherwise the bubbles in the cylinder will disturb and drive away the creatures and fish.
Furthermore, at YouSea Institute they allow their members to personally participate in regular monitoring, thus experiencing life on underwater structures first-hand.
The structure, made of concrete, iron and calcium carbonate stone, is 5.5 meters long, 3.5 meters wide and 3 meters high, and reaches a depth of 9 meters below sea level. Its main purpose is twofold: to develop a new and more innovative way of growing marine life and to monitor biodiversity.
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