Volume 54

Artificial Reefs for Submerged and Sub-aerial Habitat Protection, Mitigation, and Restoration


Authors
Harris, L.E.; Pardee Woodring, M.
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Date: November, 2001


Pages: 386-395


Event: Proceedings of the Fifty Fourth Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute


City: Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands


Country: Turks and Caicos Islands

Abstract

Artificial reefs traditionally have been used for environmental enhancement, and more recently, as mitigation for damages to natural reef areas. This paper presents recent methods for using artificial reefs for habitat protection, mitigation, and restoration. These methods include the use of artificial reefs for protection of existing natural reefs, environmental and eco-tourism enhancement, mitigation for damaged reefs, and shoreline stabilization. Examples of these methods, their unique design aspects, and their performance are presented so that they may be used to benefit other areas of the world.\To protect existing natural reefs, artificial reef units can be used to increase reef area, thereby decreasing the stresses on natural reefs. Artificial reefs provide areas for fishing, diving, snorkeling, and other activities, and as mitigation for damaged reef areas, so that the reef areas can recover. Artificial reefs also can be used as obstructions for ships and nets to prevent shipping or fishing in protected areas, or as underwater trail markers to safely guide snorkelers and divers around shallow natural reefs, while also providing information and education on the reefs and their inhabitants. These artificial reefs enhance the underwater environment for both the natural species and eco-tourism.\Just as natural reefs can provide calm areas in their lee, providing protection from wave. attack and beach erosion, artificial reefs can be used for shoreline stabilization. This requires the reef structure to serve as a submerged breakwater, with the crest of the reef in close proximity to the water surface. This exposes the reef to much greater wave forces and other important design considerations. The performance of artificial reefs designed for wave attenuation and shoreline stabilization are presented, using several examples from the United States and the Caribbean. The designs and performance of these artificial reef/submerged breakwaters are evaluated in terms of the wave attenuation and shoreline stabilization provided, special design considerations for safety and stability, and the environmental enhancement provided by these structures.

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