Albanian shipwreck becomes thriving artificial reef for rare marine species

The remains of the Italian hospital ship ‘Po’, which sank near the coast of Albania in 1941 during the Greco-Italian War, have transformed into a thriving artificial reef. A study published in ‘Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability’ reveals that over 80 percent of the wreck's surface is now covered by marine life.

Researchers conducting dives and using high-resolution sonar between 2022 and 2024 identified a diverse ecosystem supporting approximately 151 species. Notable findings include the presence of the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal, which was photographed resting within the ship's structure in August 2023. This marks the first confirmed sighting of the species in the Vlorë Gulf since 1996.

However, the site also hosts invasive species, specifically the lionfish (Pterois miles). Originally from the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, these fish have entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal and are now established around the wreck.