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Martin County Artificial Reef Program
Kathy FitzPatrick, P.E., Coastal Engineer
A unique location…
Florida and Subtropical Counter CurrentsTropical and temperate faunaPelagic speciesLarval transport
Estuary - Lagoon SystemImportant nursery habitatsSystem results in highest
number of marine and estuarine fish in North America
The St. Lucie InletThe vital link between
systemsAdults come in to spawnJuveniles transition to
offshoreFlushing action keeps
estuary healthy
OffshoreReef lines
Composed of rock outcropSupport growth of attaching organisms
Algae, Soft corals, Sponges, Hard corals, Hydroids, Polychaete worms and more
Hard substrate provides shelter and food for reef fishes
OffshoreSand and shell hash
Comprises up to 95% of bottom surface inside 150 ft.
Home to 3 commercially important invertebrates Rock shrimp, pink shrimp and golden crabs
Important food source to many reef fish “halo effect”
Perfect substrate for artificial reef deployment Currently permitted sites comprise less that 0.1%
of soft bottom
EstuariesSt. Lucie River historically productive oyster
habitatLost 95% of oyster population in last 40 years
Indian River Lagoon transformedSeawalls and hardened shorelinesImpoundment of mangroves for mosquito
control Important juvenile habitat lost Major impact on bird population – nothing to eat!
Socioeconomic Value of ReefsIn Martin County
Annual public expenditure $7.2 millionSupports over 100 jobsResults in approximately $3.2 million in
income
What is an
Artificial Reef?
It is……
… one or more objects of natural or human origin deployed purposefully on the sea floor to influence physical, biological or socioeconomic processes related to living marine resources. (Seaman, 2000)
• Individual Units– each unit provides surface areas & void
spaces all by itself– each individual unit must be stable
Types of Artificial Reefs
• Rubble Mound (Stacked) Units– spaces between units provides void
spaces– interlocking of units promotes stability
EngineeringDesign Factors
water depth - structure purposeunit size - weight, stability,
anchoringvertical & horizontal reliefsurface area & void spacesdurability & longevitywaves , currents, and tidesscour, deposition, settlement
Acceptable MaterialsNatural Florida RockCustom Fabricated Units
Concrete - new or waste, w/wo additivesWaste Disposal (material of opportunity)
Metals - ships, planes, etc.Concrete structures –bridge material, culverts,
construction debris, etc. Hybrids
materials of opportunity combined into reef units
Custom Artificial Reef Units
Recycled Materials
Acknowledged the: “Growing recognition of the potential of artificial reef as management tools for yielding long-term benefits to both the resource and the resource user.”
Florida Artificial Reef Development Plan, 1992
Martin CountyArtificial Reef Program
Goal: Help a struggling environmentRestore lost resourcesCreate additional fishery habitatReduce pressure on existing natural reefs by
providing alternative recreational destinationsFuel a “green” economic engineProtect the Martin County way of life
Martin County’s Reef Sites
Program ElementsConstruction of artificial
reefsMonitoring
MappingFish countBenthic identification
Project assessmentPublic EducationGrant acquisition
Donaldson ReefSite
Mapping
Donaldson Reef Site
ErnstReef Site
ErnstReef Site
Sirotkin Reef Site
SirotkinReef Site
South County Reef SiteNewest Reef SiteFFWCC
Construction Grant$60,000 in grant
fundsRecycled material6-8 low relief sites
Coming
Soon
Nearshore Reefs
Mi
The loss of hard substrates has impacted the population of … benthic species…
As living reefs grow, They attract other fish and shellfish by providing food and shelter.Indian River Lagoon – South Feasibility Study
Estuary Restoration
Oyster Restoration
Oyster Reefs
Filter impurities______Gallons/
day!!Provide habitatStabilization
Reef Ball Construction
Reef Ball Deployment
Photos 2006 by Kerry Dillon, Marine Consultant
. . . and a shrimpbut not big enough for dinner
sponges, algaeand tunicates . . .
One year later……
A hands-on learning experience in which students explore and investigate ecosystems of south Florida, focusing on the Indian River Lagoon and Martin County.
Camp W.E.T. Is:
Community Involvement
Martin County Anglers Club Artificial Reef fund 501.c.3 non-profit
Martin County Anglers Club
Stuart Sailfish Club Safari 1 Deep Sea
Fishing Marine Industries
Marine Industries of the Treasure Coast
Education
Other ProjectsBathtub Beach
August 17th, 2006
October 5th, 2007
November 12th
September 29th, 2007
Other ProjectsBathtub BeachSt. Lucie InletManatee PocketHutchinson Island Beach Project
Nearshore Reefs
• Nearshore reefs are constructed with pilings from the Evans Crary Bridge
• … at NO COST to Martin County
May 5th 2007 September 30th 2007
October 1st 2007
May 9th 2007 September 1st, 2007
September 30th, 2007
October 1st, 2007
Evans Crary Bridge
Artificial ReefsMartin County
Nearshore - Site 3Nearshore - Site 2
Donaldson ReefSirotkin Reef
Ernst Reef
Nearshore - Site 1
ernst
Martin County’s “Plan”
"Who let the Reef Balls Out?"Bridget ConnerThe Walker School
"I felt like I was making a difference when I helped constrct a Reef Ball."Katey Ceccarelli
The River Reefs Project is just one aspect of the Martin County Artificial Reef Plan (MCARP).
The MCARP is part of the State of Florida’s
initiatives to restore and enhance our marine resources.
These initiatives are a part of the great world-wide movement to sustain and maintain the oceans of our earth and all the vital resources connected to it.
By becoming a participant of our River Reefs Project, you will be doing your part in aiding the preservation of our oceans, which contribute much of the living forces for sustaining our world.
Reef by Darrin(Grade 5/K)
Thank You
Martin County Coastal Engineering Divisionwww.martin.fl.us/GOVT/
Types of Artificial ReefsIndividual Units
each unit provides surface areas & void spaces all by itself
each individual unit must be stableRubble Mound (Stacked) Units
spaces between units provides void spaces
interlocking of units promotes stability
Ship Disposal for Artificial Reefs
Deployment of Concrete Tetrahedrons
Colonization of Tetrahedron Reefs
Donaldson Reef
Inlet Rock Site
Ernst Reef
Evans Crary Bridge
Sirotkin Reef
Tetrahedron Site
Reef Balls
Stresses to the LagoonPopulation
increase“Improvements”Freshwater
discharges and runoff
Exotic invasive species
Responsible Management
Plan
Study
Observe
Pressures on Natural Reefs
OverfishingBoatsDivingAlgal bloomsSedimentatio
n
Composite Units
Reef Ball
Visit www.martinreefs.com for more information on our Artificial Reef Program
