Challenge / Goal
The main challenge that motivated the Biohut project was to restore maritime biodiversity which is under threat due to human activities, in particular coastal development. According to the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), half of marine species have disappeared between 1970 and 2020 because of habitat loss, overfishing, pollution, climate change, and invasive species. Port areas are especially vulnerable to these threats, as they are often subject to intense human activity and disturbance that affect their ecological functions and services. One of these functions is to serve as nurseries for fish larvae and other marine organisms, which are essential for maintaining healthy fish populations and food webs. However, many port areas have lost their nursery function due to lack of natural habitats or suitable substrates for larval settlement and growth.
The main goal of the Biohut project was to address this challenge by creating artificial habitats that mimic natural ones and that allow port areas to regain their nursery function. The project aimed to increase the diversity and abundance of marine species in the port area, especially fish larvae and juveniles, which are indicators of the ecological health and resilience of the ecosystem. The project also aimed to collect scientific data on the colonization and dynamics of these species, as well as to raise public awareness and education on the importance of biodiversity and environmental protection. The project was aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, especially SDG 14 (Life Below Water), which calls for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources. The project was also consistent with the vision and mission of the World Port Sustainability Program (WPSP), which is to enhance and coordinate future sustainability efforts of ports worldwide, contributing to global goals such as the SDGs.
Solution
The solution proposed by the Biohut project was to install artificial habitats made of steel modules filled with local oyster shells under the wharf of TIPSP, a multipurpose terminal at the Port of San Pedro in Ivory Coast. These habitats, developed by Ecocean, are called Biohuts, and they consist of 100% recyclable materials that create nurseries for fish larvae and other marine organisms. The Biohuts provide shelter and food for these organisms, increasing their survival rate and repopulating the seabed. The Biohuts also attract adult fish and other predators, creating a complex and diverse food web that enhances the ecological functions and services of the port area.
The Biohut project involved several steps and activities, such as:
- Preparing the Biohuts on the surface and connecting them as a structure by a mix of floats and ropes.
- Installing 32 Biohut pylons under 8 piles at the end of the TIPSP wharf by professional divers. Each pylon consists of four Biohuts attached vertically.
- Securing and checking the arrangement of the Biohuts around the piles.
- Monitoring and maintaining the Biohuts periodically, checking their condition and cleaning them if necessary.
- Sampling and identifying the fish larvae and juveniles that colonize the Biohuts, as well as measuring their size and weight.
- Analyzing and reporting the data collected from the monitoring and sampling activities.
- Communicating and disseminating the results and outcomes of the project to various stakeholders, such as port authorities, terminal operators, local communities, media, researchers, etc.
- Raising public awareness and education on biodiversity and environmental issues through various channels, such as social media, newsletters, brochures, videos, etc.
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Log inTime period
Planning time
6 months to 1 year
Implementation time
6 months to 1 year
Implementers
The service implementer for the Biohut project is TIPSP (Industrial terminal of the Port of San Pedro), which is the operator of the multipurpose terminal at the port. TIPSP is responsible for installing and managing the Biohut modules under its wharf, as well as for communicating and collaborating with Ecocean and other stakeholders involved in the project. TIPSP is also committed to raising public awareness and education on the importance of biodiversity and environmental protection.
Service providers
The service provider for the Biohut project is Ecocean, a French company that specializes in developing artificial habitats for marine life. Ecocean has designed and patented the Biohut technology, which consists of steel modules filled with local oyster shells that create nurseries for fish larvae and other marine organisms. Ecocean provides the Biohut modules, as well as the technical support and monitoring for their installation and maintenance.