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. For general information and current research news about coral reefs, visit the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation . To learn more about oceanography, marine issues and what you can do to get involved, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , the American Oceans Campaign or ENN's Year of the Ocean site.