If I were a ship... I think I would rather be a living reef than anything else at the end of my useful life span. I believe it is an honorable burial for a ship. Hooray for all involved! ~ Greg Karson
Top > Artificial Reefs
Our NAMED Artificial Reefs are "Hotels for Fish"
Artificial reefs create a marine habitat.
It's a place where coral can grow, and fish and other animals can thrive.
The reefs are for fishing, diving, and research.
WHAT WE USE?:
We're using "clean" “green” materials, such as recycling clean building materials, concrete modules and steel vessels which would otherwise be sent to landfills or scrap yards.
WHY BUILD THEM?:
Artificial reefs create spawning and feeding habitats for many of the 249 reef fish species observed on Martin County offshore reefs.
WHERE ARE THEY?:
Artificial reef site selection is based largely on input from local user groups or is intended to provide specific benefits. MCAC, Florida Sportsman Magazine and local anglers, proposed an area dedicated to enhancing angling opportunities and helped designate an area in the deepest portions of the Sirotkin Reef site for that purpose.
The Sirotkin Artificial Reef site is deeper and many reefs have already been deployed in this area and many more could be deployed due to the lack of natural reefs in the area and the large amount of vacant seafloor on the east side of this site,
The Donaldson Artificial Reef site is in 40-70’ of water, supports easily accessible dive destinations along with popular bottom fishing locations.
The South County Artificial Reef site is designed and located to enhance demersal fish populations offshore of Martin County in an area not as easily accessible to anglers as the other three artificial reef areas. This artificial reef area was intentionally located in depths where many important species of fishes in the grouper-snapper complex are found as juveniles or adults.
REEFS DELPOYED BY MCAC REEF BUILDERS: MCAC REEFS LIST
CHART OF ALL MARTIN COUNTY REEFS: MC AR CHART
Economic Benefits of Artificial Reefs
University of Florida
Summary
Florida reportedly has the largest complement of permitted artificial reefs in the nation.
Florida reportedly has the largest complement of permitted artificial reefs in the nation.
These reefs have been shown to be beneficial to the local economies.
The studies reviewed in this report show that artificial reefs do increase economic activity
in surrounding communities. Because artificial reefs are valued by users and non-users alike and provide benefits that exceed costs, they may be an effective tool for redirecting
use away from natural reefs if such an management objective is required.
in surrounding communities. Because artificial reefs are valued by users and non-users alike and provide benefits that exceed costs, they may be an effective tool for redirecting
use away from natural reefs if such an management objective is required.
Overall, artificial reefs are a source of economic value that may justify additional deployments,
even after taking into account the opportunity costs associated with scarce public funds.
even after taking into account the opportunity costs associated with scarce public funds.
