Artificial kelp reef built off SoCal coast

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- A 175-acre kelp reef has been built off the coast of California to offset the impact of a nuclear power plant, Southern California Edison says.

The power company said the reef near San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station is expected to produce the nation's first sustainable, man-made kelp forest. Officials hope to see the reef produce as much as 50 tons of fish annually.

"The project will fully offset any impacts to a nearby natural kelp forest caused by naturally cloudy ocean water processed by the nuclear power plant," the power company said Monday in a news release.