An experiment off the coast of the west of Scotland could help restore dwindling stocks of fish.

Scientists are building an artificial underwater reef off the Argyll coast and say fish and shellfish are already living in it.

A new marine habitat consisting of thousands of concrete blocks is being put in place on the seabed of the Lynn of Lorn, near Oban.

The aim is to create a man-made reef to encourage fish to feed and breed.

You can actually see the number of animals that have been attracted to the area Dr Martin Sayer Project director

Project director Dr Martin Sayer said: "You are trying to optimise the conditions that they live and grow in.

"And in the future you are starting to develop a situation where you might be able to actually ranch the seabed, in the same way as you farm the land at present."

Artificial reefs have already proved successful in other parts of the world.

With Scots fishermen fearing ruin as the EU tries to halt the decline in stocks, experts hope schemes such as this could point the way to sustainable inshore fisheries in the future.

Researchers said early indications from the project near the island of Lismore were extremely good.

Dr Sayer, who is directing the project for the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), said: "There are already actually large numbers of juvenile cod and other cod species.

Reef structures

"They will only stay there the first year of their life but they will have a chance to grow before they move away to other areas.

"Initial results show there are very positive results just from visual records alone. You can actually see the number of animals that have been attracted to the area."

Blocks weighing up to 40kg have been placed in the water to create the reef structures, which act as a shelter for fish and shellfish to breed.

The reef is scheduled to be completed in about two years, by which time a million blocks will have been used in its construction.