Izmir entrepreneur turns mussel shells into artificial reefs

Nermin Sena Ozger, a diving instructor and industrial designer from Izmir's Foca district, has established a startup that converts discarded mussel shells into artificial reefs, installing the first four prototypes in Telgraf Bay to regenerate marine ecosystems while addressing the region's organic waste problem.

Academic research fuels startup

Ozger completed her master's degree at Izmir University of Economics in 2019, researching underwater experience enhancement. She subsequently pursued doctoral studies at Yasar University, completed in 2026, focusing on symbiocentric artificial reef design using bio-waste materials. Her company, established at Teknopark Izmir within the Izmir Institute of Technology, received support from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK) Individual Young Entrepreneur Program and the UN Industrial Development Organization's Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP).

The entrepreneur began collecting discarded shells from businesses selling stuffed mussels and mussel-export processing facilities across the Aegean Region. After upcycling approximately three tons of shells, her team produced four artificial reef prototypes purchased by IZDENIZ AS, a subsidiary of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, for installation at Telgraf Bay in Seferihisar's Sigacik neighborhood.

Alternative to concrete

Ozger told Anadolu that artificial reefs worldwide are predominantly concrete, but her team sought to remove discarded mussel shells from the waste stream. "It is estimated that more than 40 tons of mussel shells are thrown away every month in the Aegean Region," she said. The shells are transformed into a water-resistant material that supports underwater life more effectively than traditional concrete structures.

"When we combine the ideas of reducing this 40 tons of waste, transforming this waste into habitats as it is reduced, and turning these habitats into tourism attractions, we focused on mussel shells with the idea of bringing what comes from the local sea back to the sea," Ozger added. She emphasized that this approach creates a circular economy model for coastal communities dependent on mussel harvesting.

Marine life colonizes reefs

The prototypes have shown faster colonization rates than concrete alternatives. "The most striking point about these prototypes we placed underwater is that, compared with their main competitor, concrete reefs, life begins to develop on them more quickly," Ozger said. "In particular, we observe that herbivorous organisms, what we call algae, begin to develop faster. This means that other marine creatures living around the reefs are also being attracted to the area in greater numbers."

During a recent inspection dive at Telgraf Bay, selected for its diving tourism potential, the team documented an octopus inhabiting one of the reef cavities. "For the first time, we saw an octopus inside one of the cavities of our prototypes," Ozger said. "This is actually a historic milestone for us, this octopus den we observed today. It had decorated the space, and there were clear signs that it had truly settled there."

Expansion plans

The team also recorded black bream, rainbow wrasse and Mediterranean rainbow wrasse using the reefs for shelter. Ozger said 35 additional artificial reefs would be installed at Telgraf Bay under the ongoing project, with periodic diver inspections monitoring ecosystem contributions. The initiative aims to establish the area as a new attraction for divers and underwater photographers while diverting organic waste from landfills.