In Hérault, Agde protects its marine environment thanks to a giant 3D artificial reef

With these multiple convolutions and its foliage, it is a kind of work of art worthy of an Inca temple of impressive dimensions: 105 tons for 6.5 m in height. Three years of work will have been necessary to build the largest artificial reef in 3D printed concrete in the world.

This reef is the last batch of the Récif’lab project for the Agde coast. In 2019, around thirty artificial fish nursery reefs commissioned by the city of Agde have already been submerged over 300 meters.

Immersed in the marine area of ​​the seaside resort, this new concrete reef, whose architecture is directly inspired by the natural habitats of the seabed, is above all intended for scuba diving. Its mission is to relieve natural sites of the impacts of poorly controlled diving activities and to protect fragile environments.

For this biodiversity preservation project, the city of Agde was the national winner of a future investment program led by the Ministry of Ecological Transition. 600,000 euros have been invested by the State and local authorities. A double operation, explains Renaud Dupuy de la Granderive, director of the marine protected area of ​​the Agde coast: “It’s win-win, we’re doing something to protect the marine environment and at the same time, we have an activity that we can develop in Cap d’Agde and the tourist areas par excellence.”

Eventually, the reef village will be made up of around ten other smaller concrete modules. Once immersed, the fauna and flora will develop naturally. Something to appeal to experienced divers.