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Grenada Artificial Reef Project celebrates its 10th anniversary

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Grenada Artificial Reef Project
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The Grenada Artificial Reef Project (GARP) is a novel marine conservation project in Grenada celebrating its 10-year anniversary in November 2023.

This project was started by Dive Grenada with oversight from the Government of Grenada in November 2013. Dive Grenada places conservation and the environment at the heart of its business operations.

The project aimed to mitigate the degrading effects of climate change, storm damage and overfishing on the near shore reefs of Grand Anse Beach. Phil Saye, the founder of GARP, describes the project: “The main objective of GARP was building an effective sustainable artificial reef structure for the regeneration and natural recruitment of marine life.

Grenada Artificial Reef Project
The GARP pyrmaids are already attracting myriad species of marine life

“This has been achieved by an ongoing process of installing a series of underwater pyramid-like structures that are placed strategically next to each other, made from construction blocks to form an artificial reef.

“This is a legacy project to enable future generations to witness the efficacy of acting now before it is too late.”

The first decade has seen GARP succeed with its ‘proof of concept’. As of November 2023, 80 of the described pyramids have been installed. Expectations have been exceeded in achieving a successful ‘artificial reef’, which has demonstrably increased the biodiversity and biomass of marine life in the area.

Grenada Artificial Reef Project
Installing a GARP pyramid

Another key focus for the artificial reef project in Grenada has been to provide education opportunities for students at St Georges University (SGU) and local schools. It is the perfect canvas to enable students to better understand and learn more about the challenges of the marine environment.

SGU students completing the BSc in Marine, Wildlife and Conservation Biology (Honours) programme have been conducting scientific research on the artificial reef to assess the effectiveness of GARP.

In 2023, GARP formed a collaboration with Clean Reefs, an internationally respected NGO. They have funded 20 additional pyramid structures and site boundary markers to demarcate the project location.

Grenada Artificial Reef Project
The shape of the pyramids promotes marine growth to take hold, and fish life to move into this new habitat

In conjunction with Dive Grenada, Clean Reefs are co-funding four internships that will see students from Grenada trained to an ‘Advanced’ scuba diver certification level and subsequently enable them to assist with monitoring, maintenance and learning how the Grenada Artificial Reef Project is helping the marine environment in Grenada.

Petra Roach, CEO of Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA), explained: “In the face of climate change, storm damage and overfishing threatening our local reefs, the Grenada Artificial Reef Project (GARP) emerged to help redefine our underwater landscape.

“Over the last decade this sustainable initiative has not only served as a lifeline for marine regeneration but provided a sanctuary for marine life and transformed diving into an immersive journey through revitalized and resilient coral habitats.

“Now, as divers explore these artificial reefs, they not only witness a flourishing ecosystem but become part of Grenada's conservation narrative, making each dive a unique and impactful tourism adventure.”

Grenada Artificial Reef Project
Several of the GARP pyramids

GARP is located close to shore at the southern end of Grand Anse Beach, and visitors are welcome at any time to observe the transformation of this area.

For more information, contact: Dive Grenada or Phil Saye.

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Mark Evans
Mark Evans
Scuba Diver's Editorial Director Mark Evans has been in the diving industry for nearly 25 years, and has been diving since he was just 12 years old. nearly 40-odd years later and he is still addicted to the underwater world.
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