Kovalam's Multi-Purpose Reef has come up in an awesome surf travel blog called 'Castles Made of Sand.' The article doesn't have a ton of information but it does include an excellent picture of the Multi-Purpose Reef throwing up a mean looking left. We are happy to see that the Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is being tested by traveling surfers and the local Kovalam surfing community.
Shore seine fishing is a traditional method practiced around the world. It typically consists of a single boat used to deploy a net offshore and encircle a small school of fish. The seine net is then pulled onshore by a group of fishermen like the example in this video. The process isn’t complex but it’s been working successfully for generations.
Shore seine fishing is commonly practiced on Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam where Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is conveniently located. Artificial reefs have demonstrated the ability to increase fish productivity supporting local fishery populations.
Reports from local fishermen say that they’ve been able to resume seine fishing two months earlier than in previous years! Must have something to do with Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef protecting the coast and widening the beach.
A short article on Multi-Purpose Reef was recently published in the "Hindu," one of India's major newspapers.
"The multipurpose artificial reef installed off the beach here has emerged as an innovative form of coastal protection, helping to improve the tourist potential of the State.
The reef has demonstrated its potential to protect the severely eroding coast from the waves unleashed by the monsoon. Resort owners and hoteliers are excited at the prospect of an extended tourist season.
Installed between the lighthouse and the Edakkal rocks off the beach, the reef has been able to protect the beach by mimicking natural reef structures and working in concert with nature.
Being off-shore and submerged, there is no visual impact. Within months, the reef has been able to stabilise the famed beach and make it wider on the lighthouse side by cushioning the impact of the waves."
Halfway through monsoon season, Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is working to protect Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam, India. The visual results are encouraging and consistent with ASR’s modeled beach salient predictions.
In the image bellow, a powerful wave breaks on Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef, dissipating swell energy across the entire length of the reef.
Traditionally, erosion is most severe on the southern end of Lighthouse Beach (lower right hand corner). Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is having a substantial effect on sediment retention in this area and we are also seeing accretion in the middle of Lighthouse beach.
June 2010
July 2010
Clean wave breaking across Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef - July 2010
Before and After
August 2009 July 2010
Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef continues to show encouraging results during monsoon season as predicted by ASR’s sediment transport modeling. Demonstrating that Multi-Purpose Reefs provide substantial coastal erosion prevention.
Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is an innovative solution for coastal protection and the beach retreat problems experienced in India. Thirty percent of India’s mainland population lives on the coast and relies on the health and security of the coastal environment. In Kerala, some 600 km of coastline is encased by 400 km of rock walls, leading to accelerated beach retreat.
Multi-Purpose Reefs have the following benefits: -Protect the coast by dissipating wave energy -Provide marine habitat -Create a recreational amenity -Promote socioeconomic prosperity
ASR continues to promote environmentally sensitive coastal protection options that value coastal resources and local interests.
Adam Daigian 
