A joint conservation project by Israeli and Jordanian scientists has resulted in the installation of the first artificial coral reef in the Red Sea.

A report by the Israel21c website described the reef, which looks like a “huge yellow concrete and wire construction that stretches four yards up from the seabed, is four yards wide and is full of holes.” The reef has proved attractive to local sea life, however; 32 species of fish now swim through or live in the structure.

Coral reefs are actually comprised of a wide, colorful and biologically diverse panorama of living coral, which are extremely ancient animals that evolved into reef-building forms over the millennia.

Scientists said the coral reefs have sustained serious damage due to the overwhelming number of divers that disturb the environment. Novice divers, said the Israel21c report, are especially damaging to the coral reefs because they tend to kick up sand or damage the corals while learning to dive.