Lorraine Williamson
Barcelona’s Port Olímpic, once best known for nightlife and sailing yachts, is now attracting attention for what lies underwater. Just a year after the city lowered fifty artificial reefs into the sea beside the marina, more than a hundred species have made it their home. Octopuses, rays, sea bream, and forests of algae have transformed a once lifeless seabed into a rich marine habitat.
What was for decades a silty and polluted stretch of water is now being hailed as an unexpected urban ecosystem. Marine biologists describe the rapid colonisation as proof of the Mediterranean’s resilience when given space to recover.
From Olympic venue to ecological model
The marina, built before the 1992 Summer Olympics to host sailing events, symbolised Barcelona’s global reinvention. For years afterwards, it thrived as a hotspot for bars, nightclubs, and moored yachts. However, by the late 2010s, residents were calling for change. Noise, pollution, and unchecked nightlife clashed with the city’s vision for a liveable, sustainable waterfront.
Consequently, Barcelona’s authorities reshaped Port Olímpic. Car access was cut, nightlife venues were closed, and open spaces redesigned. The new approach placed emphasis on tranquillity, safety, and ecology — and the artificial reef project became its flagship.
The reefs that brought life back
Installed in 2024, the concrete reef structures were designed to mimic rocky seabeds and give shelter to marine life. Within a year, researchers counted more than a hundred species using them: from small crustaceans and anemones to shoals of fish and even electric rays. Water quality has visibly improved, with clearer conditions and healthier seagrass nearby.
Although swimming, fishing, and diving are restricted to protect the area, universities are now using the marina as a living laboratory. Studies are examining how artificial reefs affect biodiversity, sediments, and even underwater acoustics. The findings could shape similar projects along the Mediterranean coast.
Port Olímpic and the blue economy
Barcelona’s ambitions stretch beyond conservation. Port Olímpic is being positioned as a hub for the so-called blue economy — a sector that merges innovation, sustainability, and maritime industries. Plans include supporting research start-ups, encouraging eco-friendly shipping, and using the marina as a showcase for climate-resilient urban design.
By blending ecological restoration with business innovation, the city hopes to turn the Olympic marina into a model of 21st-century coastal regeneration. For locals and visitors alike, Port Olímpic is no longer just about leisure — it’s proof that even urban harbours can find new life beneath the waves.
Sources: El País, Es.Ara.Cat