Izmir Turns Mussel Shells into Artificial Reefs

🇹🇷🌊 An innovative environmental project in Izmir is transforming discarded mussel shells into artificial reefs, helping reduce organic waste while creating new habitats for marine life.

🐚 Mussel shells become artificial reefs

Industrial designer and diving instructor Nermin Sena Ozger from Izmir’s Foca district has developed artificial reef prototypes using discarded mussel shells collected from seafood processing facilities across the Aegean Region.

The project aims to address the region’s growing organic waste problem while supporting the regeneration of marine ecosystems in western Türkiye.

⚠️ Around 40 tons of mussel shells are estimated to be discarded every month across the Aegean Region.

Ozger has established a startup that combines her passion for the sea with industrial design. The company has already installed its first four artificial reef prototypes in Telgraf Bay, in the Sigacik neighborhood of Seferihisar district in Izmir.

🎓 Academic research fuels the startup

Ozger completed her master’s degree at Izmir University of Economics in 2019, where she researched ways to improve underwater experiences.

She later pursued doctoral studies at Yasar University, completing her doctorate in 2026. Her research focused on symbiocentric artificial reef design using bio-waste materials.

Her company was established at Teknopark Izmir within the Izmir Institute of Technology. The startup received support from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye Individual Young Entrepreneur Program and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s Global Cleantech Innovation Program.

The entrepreneur began collecting discarded mussel shells from businesses selling stuffed mussels and mussel-export processing facilities across the Aegean Region.

After upcycling approximately 3 tons of mussel shells, her team produced four artificial reef prototypes. The prototypes were purchased by IZDENIZ, a subsidiary of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, and installed in Telgraf Bay in the Sigacik neighborhood of Seferihisar.

🏗️ An alternative to concrete reefs

Artificial reefs around the world are predominantly made from concrete. However, Ozger and her team wanted to find a way to remove discarded mussel shells from the waste stream and return material originating from the local sea back into the marine environment.

“It is estimated that more than 40 tons of mussel shells are thrown away every month in the Aegean Region.”

The discarded shells are transformed into a water-resistant material designed to support underwater life more effectively than traditional concrete structures.

“When we combine the ideas of reducing this 40 tons of waste, transforming this waste into habitats as it is reduced, and turning these habitats into tourism attractions, we focused on mussel shells with the idea of bringing what comes from the local sea back to the sea.”

Ozger emphasized that the approach creates a circular economy model for coastal communities that depend on mussel harvesting.

🌿 Marine life is colonizing the reefs

The artificial reef prototypes have shown faster colonization than concrete alternatives.

“The most striking point about these prototypes we placed underwater is that, compared with their main competitor, concrete reefs, life begins to develop on them more quickly.”

“In particular, we observe that herbivorous organisms, what we call algae, begin to develop faster. This means that other marine creatures living around the reefs are also being attracted to the area in greater numbers.”

During a recent inspection dive at Telgraf Bay, which was selected for its potential for diving tourism, the team documented an 🐙 octopus living inside one of the reef cavities.

“For the first time, we saw an octopus inside one of the cavities of our prototypes.”

“This is actually a historic milestone for us, this octopus den we observed today. It had decorated the space, and there were clear signs that it had truly settled there.”

The discovery suggests that the artificial structures are already beginning to provide suitable shelter for marine organisms.

🐟 New species are using the reefs

The team has also recorded several fish species using the artificial reefs for shelter.

• 🐟 Black bream
• 🐠 Rainbow wrasse
• 🐠 Mediterranean rainbow wrasse

These observations indicate that the structures are beginning to attract marine life and contribute to the development of the local underwater ecosystem.

🤿 Expansion plans for Telgraf Bay

Ozger said that 35 additional artificial reefs will be installed at Telgraf Bay as part of the ongoing project.

Divers will periodically inspect the reefs to monitor their contribution to the marine ecosystem and observe how marine life develops around the structures.

🌊 The project aims to combine waste reduction, marine habitat restoration and tourism development in one initiative.

The initiative could also help establish Telgraf Bay as a new attraction for 🤿 divers and 📸 underwater photographers, while diverting organic waste from landfills and returning recycled material to the marine environment.