Guatemala protects coast with artificial reefs

Guatemala has set up 2,800 artificial reefs along its Pacific coast to see how they can protect marine life and help fisherman.

All five departments of the Central American country with coastline now have the man-made barriers, Manuel Cifuentes, who is working on the project, told the newspaper Prensa Libre.

One goal is to build up fish stocks in places where before there were none.

Local fisherman Freddy Baches said the idea was a good one "because we are sure that in a short time span will we have an abundance of fish."

Another fisherman, Roland Pineda, helped put the reefs in place and called it an enlightening experience.

"I learned more about the support that marine species need to survive," he said.

(c) 2012 AFP