ArtificialReefs: Difference between revisions
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==Types of Artificial Reefs== | ==Types of Artificial Reefs== | ||
*Basic characteristics and requirements, must be heavy, non-toxic, etc. | *Basic characteristics and requirements, must be heavy, non-toxic, etc.<ref>Carr, Mark H., and Hixon, Mark A. “Artificial Reefs: The Importance of Comparisons with Natural Reefs.” Fisheries 22.4 (1997) 28-33. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref><ref>Bohnsack, James A., and David L. Sutherland. "Artificial reef research: a review with recommendations for future priorities." Bulletin of Marine Science 37.1 (1985): 11-39. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref><ref>Baine, Mark. "Artificial reefs: a review of their design, application, management and performance." Ocean & Coastal Management 44.3 (2001): 241-259. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | ||
===Manufactured=== | ===Manufactured=== | ||
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==How Do Artificial Reefs Stack Up with Natural Reefs?== | ==How Do Artificial Reefs Stack Up with Natural Reefs?== | ||
*Note inconclusiveness and need for additional studies | *Note inconclusiveness and need for additional studies<ref>Bohnsack, James A., and David L. Sutherland. "Artificial reef research: a review with recommendations for future priorities." Bulletin of Marine Science 37.1 (1985): 11-39. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | ||
===Advantages of Artificial=== | ===Advantages of Artificial=== | ||
*Can be placed in convenient and easily accessible locations | *Can be placed in convenient and easily accessible locations<ref>Carr, Mark H., and Hixon, Mark A. “Artificial Reefs: The Importance of Comparisons with Natural Reefs.” Fisheries 22.4 (1997) 28-33. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | ||
*Cheap recycled materials | *Cheap recycled materials<ref>Baine, Mark. "Artificial reefs: a review of their design, application, management and performance." Ocean & Coastal Management 44.3 (2001): 241-259. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | ||
*Can be calibrated specifically for their environment and specific organisms | *Can be calibrated specifically for their environment and specific organisms<ref>Bohnsack, James A., and David L. Sutherland. "Artificial reef research: a review with recommendations for future priorities." Bulletin of Marine Science 37.1 (1985): 11-39. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref><ref>Baine, Mark. "Artificial reefs: a review of their design, application, management and performance." Ocean & Coastal Management 44.3 (2001): 241-259. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | ||
*long term profit for tourism | *long term profit for tourism | ||
*Rapid colonization, high fish densities, and high catch rates<ref>Bohnsack, James A. "Are high densities of fishes at artificial reefs the result of habitat limitation or behavioral preference?." Bulletin of Marine Science 44.2 (1989): 631-645. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | *Rapid colonization, high fish densities, and high catch rates<ref>Bohnsack, James A. "Are high densities of fishes at artificial reefs the result of habitat limitation or behavioral preference?." Bulletin of Marine Science 44.2 (1989): 631-645. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref><ref>Randall, John E. "An analysis of the fish populations of artificial and natural reefs in the Virgin Islands." Carib. J. Sci 3.1 (1963): 31-47. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | ||
===Disadvantages of Artificial=== | ===Disadvantages of Artificial=== | ||
*Expensive transportation and labor | *Expensive transportation and labor | ||
*Recycled materials need extensive cleaning and stripping | *Recycled materials need extensive cleaning and stripping<ref>Baine, Mark. "Artificial reefs: a review of their design, application, management and performance." Ocean & Coastal Management 44.3 (2001): 241-259. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | ||
*Possible introduction of toxins | *Possible introduction of toxins | ||
*large initial investment | *large initial investment | ||
*Suggested that only 50 percent of artificial reefs meet their established goals<ref>Bohnsack, James A. "Are high densities of fishes at artificial reefs the result of habitat limitation or behavioral preference?." Bulletin of Marine Science 44.2 (1989): 631-645. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | *Suggested that only 50 percent of artificial reefs meet their established goals<ref>Bohnsack, James A. "Are high densities of fishes at artificial reefs the result of habitat limitation or behavioral preference?." Bulletin of Marine Science 44.2 (1989): 631-645. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref><ref>Carr, Mark H., and Hixon, Mark A. “Artificial Reefs: The Importance of Comparisons with Natural Reefs.” Fisheries 22.4 (1997) 28-33. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | ||
*Heavily exploited areas need significantly more help than just adding reef structures | *Heavily exploited areas need significantly more help than just adding reef structures<ref>Carr, Mark H., and Hixon, Mark A. “Artificial Reefs: The Importance of Comparisons with Natural Reefs.” Fisheries 22.4 (1997) 28-33. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | ||
==Eco-tourism and Artificial Reefs== | ==Eco-tourism and Artificial Reefs== | ||
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*Cheap option for developing tropical countries to attract tourists | *Cheap option for developing tropical countries to attract tourists | ||
*Long term profit | *Long term profit | ||
*Increased and easily located fish populations attract tourists interested in fishing | *Increased and easily located fish populations attract tourists interested in fishing<ref>Bohnsack, James A. "Are high densities of fishes at artificial reefs the result of habitat limitation or behavioral preference?." Bulletin of Marine Science 44.2 (1989): 631-645. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.</ref> | ||
*Tourists attracted to reef destinations create a demand for hotels, restaurants, and other markets associated with tourists | *Tourists attracted to reef destinations create a demand for hotels, restaurants, and other markets associated with tourists | ||
*All of the above while helping the oceans and increasing fish populations! | *All of the above while helping the oceans and increasing fish populations! | ||
| Line 74: | Line 74: | ||
References | References | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 14:16, 27 February 2013
Artificial Reefs
What are Artificial Reefs?
An artificial reef is a human-made underwater structure that substitutes as a natural reef to form a habitat for marine life. Artificial reefs are placed in areas where there is little bottom topography or near coral reefs to attract marine populations. These structures are made from a variety of materials including shipwrecks, construction debris, oil rigs, concrete, and any other man-made material.[1]
Why Artificial Reefs?
Artificial reefs serve to protect coral reefs form human-induced damages. In addition, they are used for mitigating coastal erosion, creating surf breaks, and in the past have been built to block ships from entering coastal waters. These structures create plankton-rich feeding spots that attract small animals and the reef soon becomes covered by encrusting coral and sponges. The collection of smaller marine organisms brings in predators and expands to establish a new habitat. The significance of this is that these spots divert reef-dwellers like divers and boaters from endangered coral reefs to the artificial reef.[2][3]
Fisheries Management
- biodiversity
- sustainability of fish populations
- special features of artificial reefs in solving fisheries management problems[4]
Types of Artificial Reefs
Manufactured
- EMA
- reef balls and fish condos
- mass produced concrete structures (e.g. cinder blocks)
Recycled
- extensive cleaning and prep required
- public transit
- retired ships
- retired tanks and military equipment
- tires
Additional Types of Artificial Reefs
- Art and sculpture reefs - Silent Evolution in Cancun
- Memorial reefs - Neptune Reef - Ashes from cremation formed into artificial reef bases
- Surfing reefs - Cables, Perth, Australia[8]
How Do Artificial Reefs Stack Up with Natural Reefs?
- Note inconclusiveness and need for additional studies[9]
Advantages of Artificial
- Can be placed in convenient and easily accessible locations[10]
- Cheap recycled materials[11]
- Can be calibrated specifically for their environment and specific organisms[12][13]
- long term profit for tourism
- Rapid colonization, high fish densities, and high catch rates[14][15]
Disadvantages of Artificial
- Expensive transportation and labor
- Recycled materials need extensive cleaning and stripping[16]
- Possible introduction of toxins
- large initial investment
- Suggested that only 50 percent of artificial reefs meet their established goals[17][18]
- Heavily exploited areas need significantly more help than just adding reef structures[19]
Eco-tourism and Artificial Reefs
- New dive sites lead to new economic opportunities
- Cheap option for developing tropical countries to attract tourists
- Long term profit
- Increased and easily located fish populations attract tourists interested in fishing[20]
- Tourists attracted to reef destinations create a demand for hotels, restaurants, and other markets associated with tourists
- All of the above while helping the oceans and increasing fish populations!
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/02/artificial-reefs/harrigan-text
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/a-thriving-artificial-coral-reef-is-big-business
References
- ↑ "What Are Artificial Reefs and Where Are They Located in the Mid-Atlantic? | Mid-Atlantic Coastal Environment." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 24 Jan. 2013. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ "What Are Artificial Reefs and Where Are They Located in the Mid-Atlantic? | Mid-Atlantic Coastal Environment." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 24 Jan. 2013. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Heller, Greg. "Surfing A to Z." Artificial Reefs Explained. Surfline, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Bortone, Stephen A. Artificial Reefs in Fisheries Management. Boca Raton, FL: CRC, 2011. Print.
- ↑ Carr, Mark H., and Hixon, Mark A. “Artificial Reefs: The Importance of Comparisons with Natural Reefs.” Fisheries 22.4 (1997) 28-33. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Bohnsack, James A., and David L. Sutherland. "Artificial reef research: a review with recommendations for future priorities." Bulletin of Marine Science 37.1 (1985): 11-39. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Baine, Mark. "Artificial reefs: a review of their design, application, management and performance." Ocean & Coastal Management 44.3 (2001): 241-259. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Heller, Greg. "Surfing A to Z." Artificial Reefs Explained. Surfline, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Bohnsack, James A., and David L. Sutherland. "Artificial reef research: a review with recommendations for future priorities." Bulletin of Marine Science 37.1 (1985): 11-39. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Carr, Mark H., and Hixon, Mark A. “Artificial Reefs: The Importance of Comparisons with Natural Reefs.” Fisheries 22.4 (1997) 28-33. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Baine, Mark. "Artificial reefs: a review of their design, application, management and performance." Ocean & Coastal Management 44.3 (2001): 241-259. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Bohnsack, James A., and David L. Sutherland. "Artificial reef research: a review with recommendations for future priorities." Bulletin of Marine Science 37.1 (1985): 11-39. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Baine, Mark. "Artificial reefs: a review of their design, application, management and performance." Ocean & Coastal Management 44.3 (2001): 241-259. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Bohnsack, James A. "Are high densities of fishes at artificial reefs the result of habitat limitation or behavioral preference?." Bulletin of Marine Science 44.2 (1989): 631-645. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Randall, John E. "An analysis of the fish populations of artificial and natural reefs in the Virgin Islands." Carib. J. Sci 3.1 (1963): 31-47. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Baine, Mark. "Artificial reefs: a review of their design, application, management and performance." Ocean & Coastal Management 44.3 (2001): 241-259. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Bohnsack, James A. "Are high densities of fishes at artificial reefs the result of habitat limitation or behavioral preference?." Bulletin of Marine Science 44.2 (1989): 631-645. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Carr, Mark H., and Hixon, Mark A. “Artificial Reefs: The Importance of Comparisons with Natural Reefs.” Fisheries 22.4 (1997) 28-33. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Carr, Mark H., and Hixon, Mark A. “Artificial Reefs: The Importance of Comparisons with Natural Reefs.” Fisheries 22.4 (1997) 28-33. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Bohnsack, James A. "Are high densities of fishes at artificial reefs the result of habitat limitation or behavioral preference?." Bulletin of Marine Science 44.2 (1989): 631-645. Print. 26 Feb. 2013.