The post today will be about creating underwater life with design artificial reefs, Reef Balls.
A Reef Ball is actually not a ‘ball’ but a hemispherical hollow concrete unit invented over 15 years ago in the US. Marine life can take advantage of the hollow interior via holes and the size and number of holes can easily be varied depending upon the reefs application.
Its design has evolved over many years of trials, fine tuning and input from engineers and scientists. The result is a unit that has been proven to function as well as or better than a natural reef, therefore no matter what your application, you can be confident it will achieve maximum possible success.
Key features of Reef Balls include:
- Asthetically pleasing – in a very short period they take on a natural rock/bommie appearance;
- Highly stable – they have been specifically engineered to stay upright and withstand waves and currents;
- Durable in the marine environment – the marine concrete mix is engineered for several hundred years in seawater;
- pH adjusted surface – a special concrete mix and construction technique is used to ensure rapid colonisation;
- Maximum productivity – the dome shape, holes, internal void and rough texture mimic natural reefs and maximise species richness;
- Carbon offsets – CO2e emissions from the manufacture of concrete and RBA staff air travel are offsite via My Clean Sky accredited carbon credits.
Freshwater and marine habitats can be enhanced by the addition of Reef Balls including existing artificial reefs such as ships, breakwaters and jetties.
Environmental offsets – research has shown that Reef Ball reefs can attract and support the same or greater diversity and abundance of species as nearby natural reefs. Therefore a carefully designed reef using Reef Balls is a viable option for offsetting environmental impacts.
Environmental offsets – research has shown that Reef Ball reefs can attract and support the same or greater diversity and abundance of species as nearby natural reefs. Therefore a carefully designed reef using Reef Balls is a viable option for offsetting environmental impacts.
Reef Balls can be used for a range of fishery applications including the establishment of productive reef in barren or degraded areas, or as a deterrent to trawling in order to protect specific areas. Reefs can also be designed to attract target species.
Do you want to help create marine life, to enhance your waterfront property? Contact us!
