Surbaria Reef

Surbaria is an artificial reef created by the Surbaria People, and has greatly impacted the local biodiversity.

Geography

Surbaria Reef was built on a large sunken ship a hundred metres off the coast of Surbaria. Over a hundred species of coral and underwater plant now grow on the ship and other sunken materials, and the reef stretches all round the south of Tropacia. There are plans to build the reef more on the west and connect it to Southland.

Ecosystem

As the reef grew, more and more species of fish turned up at the reef. Before the reef was built, almost nothing lived along the coast. Now there are over a thousand fish and invertebrates that call the reef home, living among all the wreckage and the coral.

Fauna & Flora

Over a thousand animal species exist in this reef, such as Banana Greyfins and Muscle Crabs.
Hundreds of coral species can be found growing here, like pigtail coral, popcorn coral, pinchers, and various kelp and plants such as moonleaves and moonvines and apple kelp.

History

In 1782, the Surbaria people discovered a way of harvesting coral and regrowing it. They decided to create a new coral reef themselves to improve the wildlife and biodiversity in the waters they lived near. They began to place the coral and grow them on the sunken ship roughly 100 metres off of the coast. Very quickly the coral grew, and more and more would grow. The Surbaria people gathered as much coral and plants as they could, and began to spread the reef out all along the coast on the south of Tropacia.
The impact this new reef had on the ecosystem led to the Aori-Sanjam, a festival celebrating the reef.

Tourism

Surbaria reef attracts millions of tourists each year. Many people are interested in the idea that you can create your own coral reef. Several tourist destinations have been set up that offer diving tours, taking you on trips around the birthplace of the reef and explanations as to how the ecosystem works.

Type

Coral Reef, Fringing

Inhabiting Species

• Heartscale Fish
• Parasol Squid