Watch: Texas Parks And Wildlife Dept Sinks Ship To Create Artificial Reef

The sinking ships are always a severe threat to marine life. Be it oil spills, or any other pollutions, such accidents often disappoint aquatic creatures and environmentalists.

However, a new initiative by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) offered a different approach to a sunken ship- turning the vessel into a an artificial reef.

A recent video uploaded on YouTube by the department authorities showed the planned sinking of a 371-ft cargo vessel, named The Kraken, to make it as an artificial reef that attracts fish, coral and other invertebrates as well as divers and anglers.

Carried out under the TPWD’s Artificial Reef Program, the vessel was sunk 67 miles off the coast of Galveston, dubbing it after the mythical, squid-like sea monster immortalized on film and in literature.

According to the department, the ship will become an artificial reef and a premiere dive location in the Gulf of Mexico soon, thanks to its proximity to the Flower Gardens Marine Sanctuary.

TPWD Artificial Reef Program Leader J. Dale Shively said the artificial projects like the Kraken will benefit to the entire marine ecosystem.

The new initiative adds to habitat and species diversity in the Gulf of Mexico as it has only a few naturally occurring reefs, he added.

Before sending to the seabed, the 1987-built vessel had made its voyages under a number of names and flags for various owners. Recently, the vessel was operating as the Panama-flagged SCM Fedra for project cargo specialist SCM Lines.

Press Release

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