Guatemala protects coast with artificial reefs

GUATEMALA CITY – Guatemala has set up 2,800 artificial reefs along its Pacific coast in an effort to protect marine life and help local fisherman.

All five departments along the coast have the new man-made reefs, Manuel Cifuentes, who is working on the project, told local newspaper La Prensa Libre on Sunday.

The project’s goal is to replenish fish stocks in areas that have been depleted.

Local fisherman Freddy Baches said the idea was a good one “because we are sure that in a short time span will we have an abundance of fish.”

Another fisherman, Roland Pineda, helped put the reefs in place and called it an enlightening experience.

“I learned more about the support that marine species need to survive,” he said.