Tamaulipas to expand artificial reefs using donated naval vessels

The Government of Tamaulipas is coordinating with academic institutions and federal agencies to expand its artificial reef system. The project aims to recover fishing resources, create marine habitats, and promote tourism and sport fishing along the coast of Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira.

As part of this initiative, the Mexican Navy (Secretaría de Marina) has donated vessels, including ships and frigates, which will be sunk to form part of the reef system once all technical, environmental, and safety requirements are met. The Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (UAT), through its Center for Research and Development in Port, Maritime, and Coastal Engineering (CIDIPORT), has conducted environmental impact studies and designed the sinking layouts.

Antonio Varela Flores, Secretary of Rural Development, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, noted that existing artificial reefs in the northern part of the state have already successfully generated new habitats, favoring the reproduction of various marine species.