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The reef was created primarily as a unique dive destination. Scylla presents a challenging but rewarding experience which has been enjoyed by many thousands of divers. For information on diving Scylla click here.

As well as offering divers a new dive site, the reef presents scientists with an opportunity to study the colonisation of an underwater structure from the very beginning. As the development of more and more offshore structures takes place – from wind turbines to moorings, oil platforms to wave power devices – there is a need to understand the processes that dictate what will fill the space created by the new structure and how this can affect the survival of local marine life and the structures themselves.

Scientific programmes studying the colonisation of the reef and the impact upon the surrounding seabed have been carried out by partners within the Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership and the results coordinated by Aquarium scientists.  A powerpoint presentation of the marine life on Scylla can be viewed at www.marlin.ac.uk/scylla.

With the reef now established as a “climax” community, the Aquarium is putting together a research programme with local scientists to establish the responses of a variety of species to environmental changes.

The Virtual Scylla project, carried out in partnership with the University of Birmingham and the Marine Biological Association, uses computer gaming technology to create a three dimensional model of the reef and run artificial life programming to enable prediction of the responses of marine life to environmental change. For more information visit www.virtualscylla.org

Visit us again to find out about the latest projects, sign up for newsletters or get in touch if you wish to collaborate on a project to help us better understand UK marine life.Science@national-aquarium.co.uk