Lasithi Prefecture (East Crete) - Underwater Technological Park
The first public underwater park with artificial reefs in Crete will be established in a coastal, sandy area of 30000 m2 protected from the wave action and it will be entirely dedicated to sport recreational diving (marine tourism). It is located 2 Km north from the city of Agios Nikolaos, Crete. The idea is to create an artificial Park for diving in order to "relieve" neighboring areas of major natural importance from severe disturbance mainly by sport diving (and fishing). My team has undertaken on behalf of Lasithi Prefecture (East Crete) In 2006, Kostas DounasI got the final license by the Greek State for the use of 26000 m2 of seabed (water column included) in an area (18-22m deep) located offshore less than 1 km from the Institute's Research premises in Gournes for the development of the "Underwater Technological Park of Crete"
Artificial reef technology and relevant basic (and applied) research will be priorities. The Underwater Park with artificial reefs in Agios Nikolaos will follow this generall direction. Kostas strongly believes the use of artificial reefs for the creation of diving recreational touristic facilities is a very good concept for Greece (and not only . . .) and at the same time the superior (in comparison with the other existing types) aesthetic of Reef Balls makes this technology highly suitable for his purpose.
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