Environmental Impact Assessment of Construction Marine Artificial Habitats on Coastal Areas Ecosystems

Artificial reefs have been suggested as a tool for conservation, enhancement and restoration of natural habitat in the marine environment. Today little is known about the positive and negative effects of artificial reefs on the marine environment, and further research could assist in minimizing environmental risks as well as in enhancing potential positive effects on the marine environment. In this study has tried to reviews similar experience relevant to the possible creation of artificial reefs in other parts on the world, the effects of artificial habitats on the ocean and marine environment must be examined. In this study, a total of 75 effects identification and assessment due to construction of artificial marine habitat in the four stage (construction structures, transfer to establish location, establishment in the environment and exploitation) and the three environment (Biological, physical and socio- economic). Of total impacts identified, 41.4 percent are positive and 58.6 percent are negative. In this study identified four major impacts (+3) include of increase biodiversity; rehabilitate species and damaged ecosystems, sustainable fishing, increasing recreational opportunities and seven nearly destructive impacts (-2 to -2.9). Also, no major negative effect was found. We observed the most positive effects in the exploitation phase (biological environment) and the most negative effect in the establishment phase (in the physical environment). In this paper our results demonstrate that, artificial reefs can result in a marked increase in their surrounding environment. Therefore these results are suggested before the construction of artificial reef at coastal and marine areas, environmental impact assessment to be implemented.