The U.S. Virgin Islands are building their first artificial reef soon to protect the coasts of the U.S. Officials announced on Thursday that the territory will become more resilient to future storms.
According to the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the 18-foot by 12-foot reef is scheduled to be installed on the coast near St. Thomas by July.
The University of the Virgin Islands will receive more than $760,000 from the federal government after Hurricanes Irma, Maria and other storms ravaged the U.S. territory of the Virgin Islands in 2017.
RARE COLOROUS REEF FOUND IN PERFECT CONDITION IN THE DEEP WATERS NEXT TO TAHITI
Jean-Pierre L. Oriol is the commissioner of the department. He said that university officials select the strongest coral specimens in nurseries from over a dozen different types to attach to an artificial reef. He said that officials were working with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution , in Massachusetts, to create a design that was environmentally friendly.
Smith Bay Beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands has a safety sign. The territory will soon build its first artificial reef to protect its coasts and become more resilient ahead of future storms. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The goal is to improve habitats for corals that are struggling due to climate changes, and to protect shorelines as we restore natural coral reefs, said Marilyn Brandt. She is a project manager at the University of the Virgin Islands and a professor of research.
CORAL REF THE SIZE THE EMPIRE STATE BUILING FOUND OFF THE COAST OF AUSTRALIA
As oceans warm, more powerful Atlantic Hurricanes are expected.