Can coastal infrastructure be engineered to harbor marine life instead of harming it?

Coastal infrastructure be engineered to harbor marine life instead of harming it? In Cobh, Ireland, researchers are testing “Living Seawalls,” a project using biodiversity-friendly hardware integrated into sea defenses. In September 2025, 60 hexagonal concrete panels were bolted into the stone at Kennedy Pier, featuring textured, ridged, and pitted surfaces with holes and crevices that can trap water or filter it with tides. The installation, presented by Louise Firth of University College Cork and led by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science and Reef Design Lab, was designed to support marine colonization while coastlines face pressure from erosion, flooding needs, and habitat loss. Scientists note that keeping waves at bay remains the seawall’s core function, so design changes may be needed if marine-focused structures affect performance. A second installation has also been built in Ringiskiddy in County Cork.