Artificial Reefs

Artificial reefs benefit our oceans, they provide a home for fish and other sea creatures while our natural coral reefs are decreasing. These reefs can also benefit the economy and help with fish related research. One disadvantage to artificial reefs is that there has been in illegal dumping for the purpose of creating these artificial reefs. This is not good because not all materials can be used for these artificial reefs, certain materials are specifically chosen.

Artificial reefs do help to relieve some of the pressure put on natural reefs by fishermen and divers. They provide an alternative area where these fishers and divers can go. Artificial reefs are a good way to recycle certain materials. If the materials do not harm the fish or ocean in any way, then they provide a good way to recycle items such as cinder blocks, wood, and old tires. We are not just dumping trash or unwanted materials in the ocean, the materials used for the artificial reefs are specifically chosen so that they will not harm the ocean and fish populations in any way. Artificial reefs can provide an economic opportunity because as the attract fish to one known area, many divers and fishers can go to that one specific area, as said in the article What is an artificial reef? written by the National Ocean Service. This benefits the economy of the nearby cities.

Artificial reefs help in many ways, from creating new homes for fish to helping us recycle materials. These are an important part of some ocean habitats and hopefully will provide a good home in case something were to happen to our natural coral reefs.