Launched on World Oceans Day 2026, Ecocoast introduces Ecoreef, a new mooring block intended for use across coastal infrastructure. The system has been designed as an alternative to conventional concrete mooring units, developed over three years of work in the UAE and the UK.

Ecocoast

Ecoreef is designed for use across ports, harbours, marinas, tourism developments, aquaculture facilities, solar installations and other coastal projects. It functions as a mooring solution that also supports young fish, encourages coral recruitment and enhances marine biodiversity.

Its concept was first introduced in 2023 during the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, developed by an in-house team in collaboration with marine ecologist and artificial reef expert Dr. Aaron Bartholomew.

Trials in the UAE began in August 2025, with early monitoring recording juvenile snappers and groupers (hammour) using the structures as shelter. Further observations identified coral settlement and the presence of marine organisms, including filter feeders, cryptic species, and both juvenile and adult fish.

Dr. Bartholomew stated: “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.”

Post-design research involved the Fujairah Research Centre, with monitoring after deployment supported by interns from the American University of Sharjah and the University of Oxford.

Ecoreef is part of Ecocoast’s wider portfolio of sustainability and marine regeneration offerings across markets in the Middle East and Europe. It is designed to work alongside Ecomoor, a neutrally buoyant mooring line system that reduces habitat damage often associated with steel mooring chains.

Dr. Philip Sanders, aquatic ecologist and sustainability strategist at Ecocoast, said: “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.”