Artificial Reefs

Function and Value Assessments (Mitigation, Fishery Enhancement, Conservation)

• Artificial Reefs of the Florida Keys - research and documentation of artificial reefs from Indiana University. Includes descriptions and photos of several reef sites.
• Marine Artificial Reefs - information on the building and purposes of artificial reefs from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
• Reef Ball Development Group - information on Reef Balls, state of the art artificial reefs used to restore ailing coral reefs.  FAQs and links to artificial reef research.
• Aquatic Ecology of Gulf Rigs
• The Surfrider Foundation's Position On Artificial Reefs
• Final Rule for Regulatory Programs of the Corps of Engineers - implementing special procedures for artificial reefs as required by the National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984
• California Fish & Game Code
• Article 2.  Artificial Reefs - Section 6420-6425

Pendleton Artificial Reef - a project of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station

• San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) - A series of experimental reefs being deployed soon as mitigation for loss of kelp beds attributed to SONGS.  This work is being overseen by the California Coastal Commission.  Southern California Edison (SCE), the builders of the power station, maintain a web site on the SONGS reef project
• Preliminary Plan for an Experimental Reef for Kelp Resources - San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS)
• Draft EIR for the Construction and Management of an Artificial Reef in the Pacific Ocean Near San Clemente, California
• Program for the American Fisheries Society 127th Annual Meeting, "Fisheries at Interfaces: Habitats, Disciplines, Cultures"
• Artificial Reef Construction in Coastal Ecosystems - New Technology
• NOAA's Essential Fish Habitat and Habitat Conservation Page
• Third Generation Artificial Reefs - The author of this paper describes several different types of artificial reefs, and then explains how a newly-developed mineral accretion technology may build artificial reefs which are intrinsically superior to other methods in terms of biological restoration and structural stability.
• Federal Guidance for the Establishment, Use and Operation of Mitigation Banks

Examples

The Eagle, Alligator Reef, Islamorada, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

USS Spiegel Grove, Artificial Reef Project - this 510-foot vessel is the third to become part of the artificial reef program off the coast of Key Largo, Florida

Artficial Reef Site: Port of Miami Mitigation Site A (North)

Artificial Reef Descriptions for Artificial Reefs in Broward, Dade, Martin, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties

Broward County (Florida) Artificial Reef Program

Louisiana Artificial Reef Program - established in 1986 to offset the loss of recreational and commercial fishing opportunities associated with the removal of offshore oil and gas platforms.

Artificial Reef Program, Palm Beach County's Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM)

Report of the results of European Artificial Reef Research Network (EARRN) workshop 4: Reef design and materials

Comments, suggestions and constructive criticisms are always welcome. If you know of an artificial reef-related site that you think others should be aware of, please send us the URL and we'll review it. If it fits with the intent of this page, we'll immediately add it to our page. Likewise, if you note any errors or lost links, let us know that too, and we'll either fix or delete them as well.
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