CG: n
CT: Although the popularity of artificial reefs has increased in recent years, the idea isn’t new. Humans have been accidentally making reef structures as long as they have been exploring the oceans (and wrecking their ships in the process). By the 1800s, some fishers were intentionally throwing logs into rivers in order to create habitat for the local fish they wanted to harvest. In fact, up until recently, Martore explains, most artificial reefs were created specifically for fishing.
“Artificial reefs have really been built so people can go fishing” Martore says. “It’s only been recently that people have started looking at reefs for different purposes.”
Today’s artificial reefs often go far beyond simply dumping junk in the ocean. Researchers can design and build custom structures for use by specific groups of fishes in specific life stages. For other types of reefs, researchers can repurpose objects that have outlived their usefulness on dry land, such as rusted-out cars and military vehicles. These create some of the best reefs, once they’ve been deep cleaned to remove any chemicals that could be harmful to marine life or pollute the environment.
S: NatGeo – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/05/shipwreck-habitats-help-tropical-fish-adapt-to-warming-waters/ (last access: 6 January 2021)
N: 1. – artificial (adj): Appeared in late 14c., as “not natural or spontaneous,” from Old French artificial, also from Latin artificialis “of or belonging to art,” from artificium “a work of art; skill; theory, system,” and from artifex (genitive artificis) “craftsman, artist, master of an art” (music, acting, sculpting, etc.), from stem of ars “art”.
– reef (n): “rock ridge underwater,” 1580s, riffe, probably via Dutch riffe, from a Scandinavian source such as Old Norse rif “ridge in the sea; reef in a sail,” literally “rib”.
2. An artificial reef is a submerged structure deliberately placed on the seabed to mimic some functions of a natural reef, such as protecting, regenerating, concentrating and/or enhancing populations of living marine resources.
3. The material used can affect the colonization of the artificial substrates by benthic organisms and, consequently, the composition of the fish assemblage that will inhabit the reef. First of all, the materials should be inert to avoid pollution and bioaccumulation of contaminants in the environment and in the aquatic organisms. The choice of the material should also consider the resistance to the chemical and physical forces in constant action in the marine waters, the time-life, and the suitability for colonization by benthic communities.
Natural materials include rocks, shells and wood, the latter being less durable over time due to the action of burrowing organisms. Rocks can be scattered on the seabed or deployed in chaotic piles or assembled inside frames made of steel, iron, plastic or wood. Concrete, iron, steel, and plastic are the most often used artificial materials worldwide. Fiberglass, coal ash by-products, ceramic, and ferro-cement have been also utilised. These materials facilitate the pre-fabrication of specifically designed modules prior to water transport to the deployment site.
4. The placement of artificial reefs should be done with due regard to any legitimate activity underway or foreseen in the area of interest, such as navigation, tourism, recreation, fishing, aquaculture, nature conservation or coastal zone management. Prior to placement of an artificial reef, all groups and individuals who may be affected or interested, should be informed on the characteristics of the artificial reef as well as on its location and depth of placement.
S: 1. OED – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=artificial+reef (last access: 8 January 2021). 2. UNEP – https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/31710/19ig24_22_2412_eng.pdf (last access: 6 January 2021). 3. FAO – http://www.fao.org/3/a-ax815e.pdf (last access: 6 January 2021). 4. UNEP – https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/31710/19ig24_22_2412_eng.pdf (last access: 8 January 2021).
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CR: biome, environment.
