Home About Us News Reef Dive Sites Art. By definition, an artificial reef is any structure placed by man in the marine environment. Properly prepared and strategically located they attract marine life of all kinds and provide easily accessible and safe locations for divers to enjoy. The diverse marine life along many coastlines has come under increased stress in recent years through over-fishing, ecological problems, and pollution.
Artificial reefs can help by providing a new habitat.
Typically placed on a sandy bottom, the new structure of an artificial reef provides a permanent structure for invertebrates to attach where there was none before. The artificial reef provides a solid surface for filter feeders to attach, and environment similar to natural reefs where entire self-sustaining food chains are created. Artificial reefs can actually create a source of minerals, such as iron, required for marine life to thrive. Typically, marine life establishes on new artificial reefs within days. Abundant life can be seen within six months, and within two to three years, all exposed surfaces will be covered with marine life, and cavities within will be filled with a full range of sea creatures.