The CCell system creates a habitat for marine life and supports the regeneration of marine ecosystems. The reduction of wave power has the added benefit of depositing sand onto beaches, which not only increases protection from storms but also enhances the aesthetics of the coastline.
The CCell Habitats is a variation of the CCell solution that is geared towards ecotourism opportunities: encouraging tourists to notice and get involved in marine conservation and habitat restoration.
Features integrated into the reefs, such as sculptures and lighting, have the additional benefit of creating an underwater attraction and interactive experience.
The creation of CCell Habitats, an underwater interactive experience to run alongside a CCell Reef is an enterprising initiative designed to develop ecotourism within a region. This has the potential for revitalising the local community and extending the marine protected zone.
This has fuelled an upward trend in underwater tourism towards both traditional diving adventures, such as swimming within marine habitats and the exploration of shipwrecks, and new experiences like discovering underwater museums, admiring art exhibits and even encountering submerged tanks and aeroplanes.
An underwater trail of CCell Habitats sculptures and structures create a stunning visual effect for divers of all abilities and a living habitat for sea life.
Underwater Tourism is estimated to be worth over US$20 billion while coral reef tourism generates in excess of US$35 billion per annum.
CCell Habitats are perfect to place under existing docks, jetties, marinas, and ports. Habitat restoration in these areas is an important step towards cleaning up the pollutants left by any boats or ships; in colder waters, this can take on the form of putting in mussel or oyster farms in and around the CCell Habitats structures with a viewing mechanism for tourists to see underwater while standing on the pier.
In warmer waters, the tourists can get involved with marine habitat restoration and here CCell Habitats can bring an exciting venture for your hotel or coastal property, promoting marine education and awareness amongst the public.
The design and assembly of miniature sculptures and words formed from loops of steel add complexity and randomness to a reef.
Under supervision, they can then attach these to active regions of the reef, which over time will accumulate rock and promote a varied habitat to the benefit of small fish and corals.
Over time these features will become immersed within the DNA of the structure.
Telchac Puerto is a small fishing village in the Northern Yucatan. The area has been affected by coastal erosion and seen a dramatic decrease in fish stocks.
In partnership with the local communities we launched a project to create an underwater dive site. This aims to develop tourism within the area to revitalise the local economy, while establishing a marine protected zone.
Incorporating the strong Mayan influence within the region, subtle and stately shapes of the Mayan zodiac form the artistic inspiration for prominent sculptures, which are surrounded by a vibrant CCell coral reef.
This site will restore the beauty and diversity of the region, creating a site of marine restoration, environmental education and cultural appreciation.
