Kelp will start to form on rubble piles within a year. In 15 years, an entire community will likely flourish. Marine officials say artificial reefs provide more habitat and increase fish populations. They also allow that angling harvests are on the rise, effectively canceling the population growth. Building mitigating artificial reefs when real reefs are damaged doesn't address problems of pollution, nutrient runoff and over-exploitation of the oceans, he adds.
Marine officials say artificial reefs provide more habitat and increase fish populations.
They also allow that angling harvests are on the rise, effectively canceling the population growth. You can't increase fish numbers and creating a fishing spot. You have to choose one or the other. Copyright 2000, Environmental News Network All Rights Reserved Artificial reefs can't eradicate the causes of reef destruction, but by adding structure to the seafloor, they provide shelter for fish and a place for plants and coral to grow.