Artificial Reef

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Recommended: Reasons why coral reefs are important

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Reefs in their simplest form are composed of rock, coral or sand and are made through an abiotic, biotic, or man-made process. Much like canyons, most reefs are made through an abiotic process. They are naturally made from deposition and erosion caused by waves and other environmental factors. Some of the most popular forms of reefs are coral reefs which are created through a biotic, not to be confused with abiotic, process. Coral reefs are located in tropical waters and are developed through the infestation of coral and calcareous algae along the edges of reefs, atolls, and islands. There are also artificial reefs which are man-made and used enhance the physical complexity of a featureless sea bottom. Artificial reefs attract a diverse collection of organisms, especially fish.

2.0 HISTORY

The construction of reefs has been in practice for thousands of years. The Ancient Persians used artificial reefs to block the mouth of the Tigris River to restrain the Indian pirates. They were also in use during the 17th century by the Japanese in order to increase fish yield and aid in the growth of kelp. The earliest artificial reef in the United States was recorded in the 1830’s when American fisherman placed logs off the cost of South Carolina to improve fishing. Since then, South Carolina has been known as the pioneering state for artificial reefs because according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, they view the reefs as a “long-term investment…since man-made reefs constructed today can still be in place and fully functional easily through the next century”.

3.0 TYPES OF ARTIFICIAL REEFS

3.1 Biotic Reef

As mentioned before, coral reefs are the most massive and widely distributed type...

... middle of paper ...

...erce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2007). National Artificial Reef Plan: Guidelines for Siting, Construction, Development, and Assessment of Artificial Reefs. Silver Spring, MD: Author.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (2011). Call for Artificial Reef Construction and Monitoring Grant Applications for Fiscal Year 2012-2013. Tallahassee, FL: Author.

Hess, R., Rushworth, D., Hynes, M., Peters, J. (2001). Disposal Options for Ships. Arlington, VA: National Defense Research Institute.

Leeworthy, V. R. (2011). The Economic Impact of the USS Vandenberg on the Monroe County Economy. Silver Spring, MD: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Morgan, O. A., Massey, D.M., Huth, W.L. (2009). Diving Demand for Large Ship Artificial Reefs. Marine Resource Economics. 24, 43-59.

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