Neptune and Mytilus

Koper, August 19, 2026, In the coastal waters near Seči, two new underwater structures named Neptun and Mytilus have been installed in the Marine Oasis, marking the third and fourth installations in this experimental marine research project. The structures, developed by the YouSea Research Institute with support from its main sponsor, BAUHAUS Slovenia, represent a significant step forward in the development of multi-trophic aquaculture. This approach involves cultivating different groups of marine organisms together, allowing them to complement each other. The goal is to explore solutions that could lead to more resilient and sustainable methods of marine organism cultivation amid the changing conditions of the Adriatic Sea, while assessing the potential of such structures for habitat restoration, biodiversity conservation, and the establishment of new marine communities. The Marine Oasis is located within a breeding area and fishing reserve near Seči, where YouSea, supported by BAUHAUS Slovenia, has been developing approaches to sustainable multi-trophic aquaculture. This initiative includes monitoring the settlement and development of marine communities and their interactions with artificial structures. This year, the structures Neptun and Mytilus were added to the existing ones, Piran and Cladocora, bringing the total number of underwater structures in the Marine Oasis to four. G. Samo Kupljen, director of BAUHAUS Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Serbia, commented on the occasion: “We believe that supporting sustainable projects makes the most sense when they open space for new knowledge, research, and the search for solutions for the future. Environmental care and the preservation of biological diversity are among our core values, which we firmly stand behind.” He further stated that the Marine Oasis is an excellent example of a project aligned with these principles, and he expressed pride in partnering with YouSea since the beginning. Over the years, BAUHAUS Slovenia has invested over 138,000 euros into the project, emphasizing its commitment to better understanding and preserving Slovenian waters, which represent a valuable part of the country’s natural environment. The Marine Oasis was designed with the aim of developing and researching approaches to sustainable multi-trophic aquaculture. It also enables monitoring of how underwater structures influence the settlement of marine organisms and the development of marine communities, as well as their potential contribution to the conservation of marine biodiversity. Given that much of Slovenian waters feature soft, muddy seabeds, natural hard surfaces for marine organisms to attach themselves are relatively scarce. Therefore, the underwater structures in the Marine Oasis provide additional solid surfaces for colonization, and their irregular shapes create diverse shelters and microhabitats for marine life. With the addition of the two new structures, the possibilities for comparative research in the Marine Oasis have expanded. Researchers can now monitor the impact of different designs, materials, and methods of cultivation on the settlement of organisms and the development of marine communities. They can also investigate the potential of these structures for enhancing biodiversity conservation and developing more resilient and sustainable forms of mariculture. Neptun, named after the Roman god of the sea, also references BAUHAUS Slovenia's brand of immersion systems called NEPTUN. The structure resembles a sea urchin in shape, featuring a stable semicircular base with a diameter of 1.42 meters. Attached to this base are removable poles or “stakes” ranging from three to five meters in length. One unique aspect of the structure is the variety of materials used for these stakes, including iron, bamboo, larch, and acacia, all suitable for marine environments. This diversity allows YouSea to compare the effects of different materials on attachment and the dynamics of marine organism settlement. The removable design facilitates easier inspection, maintenance, sampling, and scientific monitoring of organism development. Additionally, holes in the central part of the base allow the stakes to be attached, creating smaller shelters and microhabitats that enhance the complexity of the ecosystem. These features contribute to the overall effectiveness of the structure in promoting biodiversity and ecological resilience.