Our assessment of the Cleveland Stadium artificial reefs may provide answers to some of those questions. Artificial reefs constructed previously by Ohio Sea Grant have become popular with anglers and scuba divers. University research has demonstrated these reefs attract and concentrate fish up to 60 times more than non-reef areas. Ohio Sea Grant suggested the use of the old stadium for an artificial reef structure to the City of Cleveland, and subsequently assisted with the planning development and placement of these artificial reefs. Part of our assistance to the City of Cleveland was the agreement to conduct assessment and monitoring of these reefs, as specified in the US Army Corps of Engineers permit.
Artificial reefs continue to raise question throughout the scientific community.
Although our previous research regarding the Lorain and Lakewood artificial reefs revealed positive benefits, there are still questions remaining to be answered. Our assessment of the Cleveland Stadium artificial reefs may provide answers to some of those questions. The same procedure will occur at a known control site of the same depth and bottom composition. Mr. Althaus, a certified PADI dive instructor, will employ another diver, with at least PADI Divemaster status, to accompany him during data collection dives for safety purposes. We have contracted with Captain Andy Emrisko of Wave Walker Charter Service, Cleveland, Ohio, to provide the boat services for the project.