Belgium builds biological artificial reef to protect coastline

Work begins next month on an artificial reef off the Belgian coast at De Panne that utilises only natural materials, including mussels, tube worms and seaweed. The idea behind the 100-square-metre test project is to see how well it protects the coast from erosion due to heavy storms.

It was Philippe De Backer, state secretary for the North Sea, who on Thursday gave the green light for the pilot project, cutely named 'Coastbusters'. "The scientist in me is very excited!” he tweeted.

The three-year pilot project is funded by five companies that hope to sell the technique abroad.