Reefs News

MIT researchers have engineered a groundbreaking artificial reef designed to protect coastal communities from flooding and erosion while using 10 times less cement than current methods. As natural coral reefs break down due to rising sea temperatures and coral bleaching, coastal areas become more vulnerable to strong waves and storm surges. This new reef design offers a sustainable solution that mimics natural reefs, helping to restore some of the lost protection.Traditional artificial reefs—created from sunken ships, old platforms, and concrete blocks—often lack efficiency and consistency in breaking wave energy.

They require massive amounts of material to dissipate enough wave force, making them costly and unsustainable. The MIT team's innovative approach, however, focuses on engineering a reef structure that maximizes wave dissipation with minimal material use.Their reef design consists of vertical cylindrical structures with attached rudder-like slats that allow water to flow through, creating swirling eddies. This motion efficiently reduces the impact of incoming waves, with the team reporting a reduction of over 95% in wave energy during testing. Inspired by blowout preventers used in offshore oil drilling, the design channels wave energy in a way that minimizes its destructive force on coastlines.

Initial tests were conducted in a wave tank using 3D-printed plastic models, which successfully demonstrated the structure's effectiveness. Further research found that using cement instead of plastic for the cylindrical structures would be more sustainable and cost-effective. The next step involves molding these cement structures into modular units called “voxels,” which are microstructures resembling stacked egg cartons. These voxels not only dissipate wave energy but also provide pockets for marine life to shelter, helping to restore biodiversity in coastal areas.The modular design is scalable, making it easy to transport and assemble at offshore locations. MIT researchers envision these cylindrical structures forming long, semi-permeable walls about half a mile from the shore, significantly reducing the impact of incoming waves. By lowering wave heights from 6 meters to less than 1 meter on the opposite side of the reef, the design can drastically reduce storm damage, preventing billions of dollars in coastal destruction.

MIT is already working with two coastal towns in Massachusetts to pilot the project on a larger scale. These pilot reefs, about a mile long and 5 meters tall, would cost approximately $6 million per mile but offer immense savings by preventing long-term storm damage.In the future, the team aims to make the reef structures more porous to further support marine life and enhance ecosystem regeneration. This innovation offers a promising solution for both coastal protection and environmental restoration in regions increasingly affected by climate change.Read more here.

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The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana (CCA), in collaboration with Chevron, Danos, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), has successfully installed its 50th artificial reef in the Gulf of Mexico. This milestone project is located about 30 miles from Cypremort Point Park and adds 110 "Cajun Corals" and recycled concrete to enhance the Ted Beaullieu Sr. Reef in South Marsh Island Block 233. Originally installed in 2019, this reef was built to support marine life and enhance fishing opportunities in the area.

The Cajun Corals, which weigh around 1,800 pounds each, are produced using advanced 3D printing technology by Natryx Coastal Solutions in partnership with Danos.The $250,000 project has been a year in the making and is part of a broader effort to restore marine habitats that have been lost due to the removal of old oil platforms. According to CCA Vice President of Conservation and Habitat John Walther, Louisiana's waters typically have soft, muddy bottoms, which do not naturally support diverse marine life. The artificial reefs create a hard surface for marine organisms to attach to, jumpstarting the marine food chain and providing critical habitats for fish and other species.

These reefs also serve as new fishing destinations for local anglers, replacing popular spots that were lost when oil platforms were removed after reaching the end of their operational life. LDWF Artificial Reef Coordinator Mike McDonough emphasized the importance of feedback from fishermen in identifying areas that had been productive fishing grounds but lost their habitat after platform removals. The project ensures that recreational fishing opportunities are preserved while promoting marine biodiversity. In addition to the Ted Beaullieu Sr. Reef enhancement, plans are underway to install another artificial reef in the Gulf of Mexico off Lake Charles by the end of June 2024.

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three groups of artificial reefs were installed off the coast of Isla Mujeres as part of a project called "Bio Armonía." A team of divers and biologists worked over four days to place the new reef structures on the seabed in the Meco area near Punta Sam. These structures aim to provide a habitat for marine species and create new dive sites for tourists. Divided into seven modules, the artificial reef is expected to soon support coral growth.According to project leader Claudia Padilla, the structures serve a vital ecological role, offering a refuge for marine species.

Named "Bio Harmony" to reflect this purpose, the pieces are made from environmentally friendly materials that promote coral growth. While coral is expected to begin developing in about three months, fish are likely to start adapting to the new structures within a month.The newly installed reef is part of the El Meco underwater museum. The project was carried out by the Asociados Náuticos de Quintana Roo, Reef Aquaculture Conservancy (RAC), the National Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INAPESCA), and other environmental experts, including Claudia Padilla Souza and Alfredo Arellano Guillermo.

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