© Ecocoast
Launched to coincide with World Oceans Day 2026, Ecoreef replaces conventional concrete mooring blocks with engineered reef structures specifically designed to support young fish, encourage coral recruitment and enhance marine biodiversity. The system is aimed at ports, harbours, marinas, tourism resorts, aquaculture facilities and coastal developments.
Originally conceived by Ecocoast in 2023 as part of the company’s Drive Change philosophy during the United Arab Emirates’s (UAE) ‘Year of Sustainability’, Ecoreef was designed by a team of in-house specialists and renowned artificial reef expert and marine ecologist Dr Aaron Bartholomew.
“I have been exploring concepts for more effective artificial reefs and marine infrastructure since my PhD research in 2001, and it has been incredibly rewarding to work with Ecocoast to help bring these ideas into practical application. Initial results have exceeded expectations, with strong early evidence of juvenile fish using the structures as refuge habitat,” said Bartholomew, in a press release.
The product launch follows three years of research, engineering and iterative development. The Fujairah Research Centre (FRC) collaborated on post-design research, while a team of interns from the American University of Sharjah and University of Oxford supported post-deployment monitoring.
The project represents a fresh approach to reducing the environmental footprint traditionally associated with conventional mooring infrastructure and offers a more sustainable solution for mooring buoys, pontoons and other floating structures while supporting healthier local marine ecosystems.
Ecoreef is the latest addition to Ecocoast’s portfolio and has already undergone successful trial deployments in the UAE since August 2025. Unlike conventional mooring blocks, which typically cause ecological harm, Ecoreef incorporates engineered complex habitat and settlement surfaces designed to support marine life throughout multiple development stages.
Particular focus has been placed on creating refuge for juvenile fish, helping increase survivorship rates in early development. During initial underwater monitoring in the UAE, the team observed juvenile snappers and groupers on the deployed Ecoreefs, indicating the system's potential to support local commercial fisheries.
Coral settlement is also encouraged by the Ecoreef design, contributing to the gradual development of marine ecosystems around operational infrastructure. Trials have shown that these structures benefit a wide range of biodiversity, including cryptic species and filter feeders which improve water clarity.
Ecoreef is designed for use with Ecomoor, Ecocoast’s neutrally buoyant mooring line technology, which helps prevent the scouring and habitat damage commonly associated with traditional steel mooring chains. Together, the two technologies enable ports, marinas, tourism destinations, aquaculture and civil operators to replace conventional mooring systems with low-investment, high-impact moorings that support habitat creation and marine regeneration.
“Marine infrastructure has traditionally been designed with little consideration for ecological function. Ecoreef represents a different approach, actively contributing to healthier marine ecosystems while still delivering the operational performance required by ports, marinas and coastal projects,” added Dr Philip Sanders, aquatic ecologist and sustainability strategist at Ecocoast.
As a new patent pending technology, Ecoreef joins Ecocoast’s broader sustainability and marine regeneration offering for customers in the Middle East and Europe, which focuses on adding ecological functionality to grey infrastructure. Ecoreef manufacturing is split between the UK and the UAE, supporting both quality and delivery readiness.
