Second year Palos Verde Artificial Reef report A+
by The Sportfishing Conservancy 11 May 2023 18:19 UTC
Reef report emphasizes value of placed marine structure © The Sportfishing Conservancy
The 2 year study of the Palos Verdes Reef Restoration Project documents the enhanced habitat value of an artificial reef.
The before and after science demonstrates how enhanced habitat dramatically increases fish populations year to year and over those found on "natural" ocean floor.
Why is this so important you might ask? Most ocean floor off of the southern California coast consists of soft strata. More than 90% of the seafloor is flat bottom consisting of mud and sand. With nothing for plants, algae, kelp or invertebrates to anchor to there is little or nothing there for fish to call home. However, the science on seafloor enhanced with high relief structure clearly documents increases in fish and marine growth. Read the Palos Verde study here, and watch a short video outlining the science on the reef: "Rebirth of a Reef".
Why is this so important right now you might ask? Offshore oil platform decommissioning is already started in the Santa Barbara Channel. In studies over the past decades we have seen the same documented high fishery production on the submerged portions of each offshore platform and these platforms are destined for either full or partial removal. It is time for everyone interested in ocean health to take a sober look at the science, then proceed with the best environmental choice for each offshore platform.