FLORIDA:  HARBORING AQUATIC LIFE ARTIFICIAL REEF PROJECT

 

 

 

FRONT PAGE

 

INTRODUCTION

 

OBJECTIVES

 

METHODS OF ANALYSIS

 

HARBORING-AQUATIC LIFE ARTIFICIAL REEFS

 

WAVE-BREAKING ARTIFICIAL REEFS

CONCLUSIONS

 

REFERENCES

FLORIDA:

 

                        Some of the best examples of artificial reefs in the United States are found off the coast of Florida.  They are found mostly in the southern area of

             Florida, particularity in the light blue area of the Florida Keys, as shown in the figure below:

 

 

  Figure 1:  An aerial photograph of Florida.

 

 

            Florida has had a fairly successful program for artificial reefs designed to harbor aquatic life.  Over 50 artificial reefs have been placed.  Most of these reefs are either concrete or iron.  Below is one reef that was placed off the coast of Palm Beach:

 

                                                                    

 

                                                                   Figure 2:  A barge places an artificial reef designed to harbor local

                                                                                        aquatic life off the coast of Palm Beach.

 

 

                                                                         

 

                                                                       Figure 3:  The same artificial reef as shown in figure 2 is now in

                                                                                               place at the bottom of the ocean.

 

 

 

 

Of course, many more artificial reefs exist off the coast of Florida due to the sinking of ships.  As one can imagine, if a ship sinks in an area that coral has successfully grown, coral and other organisms will inhabit the newly “placed” reef.