The submarine area known as Aklu Sēklis (literally 'Blind Shoal') is being examined as part of the 'Life Reef' Project surveying protected habitats of European Union importance.
"After surveying Alku Sekli, the researchers concluded that the seabed in this place is drastically different from other places in the Baltic Sea, because instead of the usual rocky bed, signs similar to urban infrastructure can be seen," said the DAP.
"The underwater structure of the Alku shoal resembles a small town. Namely, the several meter high moraine clay outcrops left by the glacier and the valleys formed between them resemble city blocks and streets. Individual high-rise buildings and wide, paved squares covered with abundant mussel groves can also be observed. Mussel groves and smaller moraine formations are popular as places of residence and feeding for the inhabitants of the city – flounder, cod, rock gunnel and other living organisms. In the Baltic Sea, I have not experienced such an underwater landscape," said leading researcher Ingrīda Andersone.
This year, several video observations and dives were carried out to collect samples of living organisms. The works were carried out by the Latvian Institute of Hydroecology.
Fieldwork in the area of the shoal has been completed, and will now be followed by the processing of the samples collected and the evaluation of the quality and sustainability of the habitat.
The Biotope Rock shoals in the sea is described by DAP as "one of the most remarkable and ecologically significant types of habitats in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea."
