New artificial reefs established in Kattegat to restore marine habitats near Gilleleje

A total of 19,000 tons of stones have been placed in the Kattegat, north of Gilleleje on the northern coast of Zealand. The stones have been deployed to create two artificial reefs on the seabed, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Covering an area of 6.6 hectares, the new reefs will provide habitat for marine species such as cod and lobsters.

The stones, measuring between 30 and 70 centimeters, originate from a quarry in Norway. The original reefs were composed of the same type of stones that were transported from the north to Denmark during the Ice Age. Over time, many of these original stones have been removed from the reefs, repurposed for the construction of ports, castles, and churches. This removal has impacted up to 80 percent of the original stone reefs along the Danish coastline.

Environmental Minister Magnus Heunicke stated that the project is part of a political agreement aimed at restoring marine habitats. He noted that for decades, stones have been extracted from Danish waters, resulting in a lack of shelters and habitats for marine life beneath the surface. “We need to restore more of our lost marine nature,” he emphasized on social media.

The new reef is situated approximately three kilometers offshore, with water depths ranging from 7 to 15 meters. It will rise 1 to 3 meters above the seabed, offering numerous hiding spots that will attract fish and invertebrates. Seaweed will colonize the stones, forming kelp forests. This winter, the Environmental Protection Agency will begin work on another reef restoration project near Tårbæk in Øresund.