PQBH Marina Guide 2022 v10

BU survey the reef units using various techniques:
SCUBA surveys, Remote underwater video and a
remotely operate vehicle (ROV). The researchers
are investigating the types of marine life found in
particular habitat features, for example crabs are
commonly found in the holes and fish are typically
found in the tunnels. After 18 months the reefs were
completely covered in marine life and 94 species had
been recorded in total. The reef units are covered in
algae, tube worms, sea squirts, hydroids, bryozoans,
barnacles, anemones and sponges. There are used
by mobile fauna including edible crab, spider crab,
velvet-swimming crab, pollack, wrasse, gobies and
mullet. The reef units will continue to be monitored
until March 2023.
In June 2022, the 3DPARE reef units & Poole Harbour
were featured on the BBC One Show, including a SCUBA
dive with Bill Bailey & Dr Alice Hall. For more information
on the project visit www.3dpare.eu
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