Saturday, September 24, 2021 — San Juan, Puerto Rico — Estuario installed five structures to create marine habitat and aid in the propagation of fish and crustaceans under the docks of the San Juan Yacht Club. These structures, known as BIOHUTS, serve as nurseries for aquatic species, as they are designed to provide food and shelter for juvenile fish and other aquatic life. This is the first time such structures have been installed in Puerto Rico to create marine habitat.
“These spaces will create abundant marine life, which will allow for regular and sport fishing, which is permitted in this area,” said Brenda Torres, executive director of the Estuary.
BIOHUTS transform submerged, habitat-deprived spaces beneath docks and other port facilities into marine life zones. Empty conch shells (Strombus gigas) are placed inside the BIOHUTS . These shells, discarded after the shellfish were harvested, were rescued from fishing villages and other locations in Puerto Rico. The conch shells provide internal spaces for juvenile marine creatures to develop and a food source in the form of microalgae. Once installed, the populations of fish and other creatures that begin to inhabit these new living spaces will be studied.
“This project is an example of how we can contribute to a healthy ocean. A healthy ocean means a healthy and resilient society. This is a blue economy project, as it creates nurseries for fish and crustaceans important to commercial and recreational fishing. It is also a blue infrastructure project, as it emulates some of the ecological services of marine ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs,” said Jorge Bauzá, Scientific Director of the Estuary. “This project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 14 – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development,” he added.
