Under the auspices of HE Sheik Hamad bin Salim Al Aghbari, Wali of Liwa, a handover ceremony of the artificial reef project in the Wilayat of Liwa was held on Sunday the 24th of June 2012 at the Sohar Industrial Port Company SAOC offices, Sohar.
Mr. Andre Toet, Group CEO of Port of Sohar handed over the project to HE Sheik Hamad bin Salim bin Ahmad Al Agbari, Wali of Liwa. The ceremony was attended by several local dignitaries.
The project has been prepared in good coordination with the local communities, the National Hydrographic Office, the Ministry of Transport and Communication, the Ministry of Fisheries Wealth and the Ministry of Environment & Climate Affairs.
All parties involved have expressed their strong support and appreciation for this initiative.
The artificial reef is installed in the Wilayat of Liwa, opposite Harmool Village.
The installation is part of the development of the recently constructed offshore Bulk Jetty which has been built in front of the port.
A special design for the reef was made to enable the re-use of construction materials from the Bulk Jetty project. In addition, 40 large reef balls have also been installed.
The location which has been selected has optimal conditions for having an artificial reef.
The location is also very suitable for having further expansions of the reef as part of future initiatives.
The reef will thereby continue to contribute to the diversity and volume of the fishing stock in the
area. As part of the Artificial Reef project, the Port of Sohar is now aiming to establish a monitoring program with one of the educational institutes in Sohar in order to monitor the development of the reef and the marine life around it.
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Dredging Today Staff, June 25, 2012; Image: portofsohar