The provincial government of La Union has deployed artificial coral reefs in Barangay Nalvo in this town to provide natural habitat for marine life and boost fish production.

In a phone interview, La Union Environment and Natural Resources Office head Ayen Rosario said the artificial reefs were made of concrete in a tripod form provided by the provincial government.

“We looked for barren areas and have deployed the artificial reefs at 73 feet deep in the ocean some 150 to 200 meters from the shoreline,” she said on Wednesday.

She added that the installation of artificial reefs helps provide a supplementary stable substrate in barren and unproductive areas for coral settlement and growth as well as a supplemental habitat for reef fishes and other marine flora and fauna.

“In the long run, the artificial reefs will serve as breeding grounds for fishes and other marine resources that will boost fish production leading to livelihood opportunities and food security for the kaprobinsyahan which contributes to the economic status of the province,” she said.

Rosario said the local government unit (LGU) of Luna town and the provincial government will work hand in hand for the monitoring of the structures.

“There is a proper monitoring that’s why we are with the LGU. The legislative action will require municipal ordinance to protect the area being the breeding ground. They are drafting an ordinance to declare a no fishing policy in the core zone for the protection and sustainability of the project,” she said.

She added the project will benefit some 777 fisherfolk initially and eventually all the other fisherfolk and residents of the 12 coastal LGUs in the province.

The artificial reefs were deployed on February 11. (PNA)