Bahrain Turns Retired Jumbo Jet into Artificial Reef

In a unique initiative, Bahrain sank a retired Boeing 747 in June 2019 to create an artificial reef and tourist attraction. The 70-metre-long jumbo jet was placed 20-22 metres below the surface of the sea, becoming the centrepiece of Dive Bahrain, a 100,000-square-metre underwater park.

The project aimed to combine marine research, environmental education, and tourism. The Boeing 747's large surfaces, openings, and sheltered spaces provided hard surfaces for marine organisms to colonise, while fish and other species could use the structure for shelter.

A study on artificial reefs found that they can support fish communities with levels of density, biomass, species richness, and diversity comparable to those found on natural reefs. The researchers stressed that effectiveness depends on factors such as location and construction material.