Irish scientists help damaged coral with 3D-printed reefs

Irish scientists have employed 3D-printed coral reefs to assist damaged coral recovery off the coasts of Ireland and France. The University of Galway, in collaboration with French researchers, deployed 23 structures in the Porcupine Bank, 200 kilometers off Kerry’s coast, and in the Bay of Biscay off France. Dr Anthony Grehan, a deep-sea ecologist and team member, aims to restore Ireland's cold water coral reefs.

He explained that these reefs, found between 500m and 1km depth, are biodiversity hotspots, fish nurseries, carbon sinks, and carbon sequesters. Cold-water coral reefs form intricate 3D structures providing habitats for various marine life, including sponges, crabs, and fish. However, trawling has damaged these reefs, and their focus now is on mitigating past damage.

The scientists have recently begun using 3D-printed coral reefs of one meter in height and width, weighing 600kg, made from eco-concrete, in shallow water. These heavy reefs are lowered to 1km depth using acoustic positioning to ensure accurate placement. Dr Grehan reported that half of the reefs already have fragments of live coral attached to encourage new settlement.

Initial results show promising signs of success, and they plan to return next year using an Irish research vessel to the Irish and French sites, where they aim to see the functioning of the reefs improving with the addition of these artificial structures.