Akamas municipality to install artificial reef to combat coastal erosion

The Akamas municipality has initiated a tender process to install 220 concrete structures on the seabed at Coral Bay to address severe coastal erosion. The project, which concludes its tender phase on September 18, involves placing these units at a depth of four meters, approximately 115 to 130 meters offshore, spanning a length of about 100 meters. The initiative is a pilot study under the "Eco-Beachtech" project, funded by the Interreg Greece-Cyprus 2021-2027 program, with a total cost of 280,000 euros excluding VAT.

This "nature-based solution" is supported by the Department of Environment, which confirmed the project's scientific value in mitigating flood risks and sand loss. The structures are designed to break wave impact, while the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence at Tepak will contribute 20 additional 3D-printed units. Beyond erosion control, the reef is intended to foster marine life growth and facilitate scientific research, including potential snorkeling and free-diving activities. Researchers from the University of the Aegean, who conducted the feasibility study, will monitor the reef's effectiveness following installation.