Romania has inaugurated underwater seagrass meadows and artificial reefs in the Black Sea as part of a major restoration project aimed at curbing erosion and reviving marine biodiversity, the National Administration \u201cApele Rom\u00e2ne\u201d said. More than 20 hectares of seabed have already been planted with Zostera noltii seagrass and transplanted with Cystoseira barbata seaweed, creating new marine pastures and reef structures.<\/p>\n
The project provides habitats for fish, seahorses, and other marine species while capturing carbon, stabilizing the seabed, and protecting the shoreline from erosion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis project places Romania on the map of marine ecosystem restoration in Europe. It\u2019s not just about planting underwater vegetation but about restoring ecological balance and investing in a sustainable future for our coast,\u201d said Stelic\u0103 Hagi, director of the Dobrogea-Litoral Water Basin Administration.<\/p>\n
The project has reached nearly 80% completion, according to project manager Nicu\u0219or Buzgaru.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Backed by EU co-financing, European Investment Bank support, and partnerships with Romanian research institutes, the initiative is being hailed as a model for Eastern Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis project sets a new standard in coastal protection and marine restoration in Eastern Europe,\u201d added Mihaela Andra Negoi, investment director at Apele Rom\u00e2ne.<\/p>\n
By 2027, the program aims to cover more than 700,000 square meters of seabed and establish 13 artificial reefs, representing a major step in safeguarding Romania\u2019s shoreline and marine environment.<\/p>\n\n
irina.marica@romania-insider.com<\/p>\n