The Martin County Artificial Reef Program aims to restore lost marine habitats and resources through the construction of various artificial reefs. Artificial reefs are constructed using materials like recycled concrete, bridge pilings, ships, and specialized engineered structures. These reefs provide hard substrate and shelter to attract fish and invertebrates. The program also includes monitoring of reef sites, education initiatives, and community involvement to support marine life and local fisheries. The goal is to enhance the environment while fueling sustainable economic and recreational opportunities.

1. Martin County Artificial Reef Program Kathy FitzPatrick, P.E., Coastal Engineer

2. A unique location… Florida and Subtropical Counter Currents Tropical and temperate fauna Pelagic species Larval transport

3. Estuary - Lagoon System Important nursery habitats System results in highest number of marine and estuarine fish in North America

4. The St. Lucie Inlet The vital link between systems Adults come in to spawn Juveniles transition to offshore Flushing action keeps estuary healthy

5. Offshore Reef lines Composed of rock outcrop Support growth of attaching organisms Algae, Soft corals, Sponges, Hard corals, Hydroids, Polychaete worms and more Hard substrate provides shelter and food for reef fishes

6. Offshore Sand 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

7. Estuaries St. Lucie River historically productive oyster habitat Lost 95% of oyster population in last 40 years Indian River Lagoon transformed Seawalls and hardened shorelines Impoundment of mangroves for mosquito control Important juvenile habitat lost Major impact on bird population – nothing to eat!

8. Socioeconomic Value of Reefs In Martin County Annual public expenditure $7.2 million Supports over 100 jobs Results in approximately $3.2 million in income

9. What is an Artificial Reef?

10. 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)

12. each unit provides surface areas & void spaces all by itself

13. each individual unit must be stable

14. Rubble Mound (Stacked) Units

15. spaces between units provides void spaces

18. Acceptable Materials Natural Florida Rock Custom Fabricated Units Concrete - new or waste, w/wo additives Waste Disposal (material of opportunity) Metals - ships, planes, etc. Concrete structures –bridge material, culverts, construction debris, etc. Hybrids materials of opportunity combined into reef units

19. Custom Artificial Reef Units

20. Recycled Materials

21. Composite Units

22. Florida Artificial Reef Development Plan, 1992 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.”

23. Martin CountyArtificial Reef Program Goal: Help a struggling environment Restore lost resources Create additional fishery habitat Reduce pressure on existing natural reefs by providing alternative recreational destinations Fuel a “green” economic engine Protect the Martin County way of life

24. Martin County’s Reef Sites

25. Program Elements Construction of artificial reefs Monitoring Mapping Fish count Benthic identification Project assessment Public Education Grant acquisition

26. Donaldson ReefSite

27. Mapping

28. Donaldson Reef Site

29. ErnstReef Site

30. ErnstReef Site

31. Sirotkin Reef Site

32. SirotkinReef Site

33. South County Reef Site Newest Reef Site FFWCC Construction Grant $60,000 in grant funds Recycled material 6-8 low relief sites Coming Soon

34. Nearshore Reefs Mi

35. Estuary Restoration 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

36. Oyster Restoration

37. Oyster Reefs Filter impurities ______Gallons/day!! Provide habitat Stabilization

39. Reef Ball Construction

40. Reef Ball Deployment

41. One year later…… sponges, algae and tunicates . . . . . . and a shrimp but not big enough for dinner Photos 2006 by Kerry Dillon, Marine Consultant

42. Camp W.E.T. Is: A hands-on learning experience in which students explore and investigate ecosystems of south Florida, focusing on the Indian River Lagoon and Martin County.

44. Stuart Sailfish Club

45. Safari 1 Deep Sea Fishing

46. Marine Industries

48. Other Projects Bathtub Beach

49. October5th, 2007 August17th, 2006 September 29th, 2007 November 12th

50. Other Projects Bathtub Beach St. Lucie Inlet Manatee Pocket Hutchinson Island Beach Project

52. May 5th 2007 September 30th 2007 October 1st 2007

53. May9th2007 September 1st, 2007 October 1st, 2007 September 30th, 2007

54. Evans Crary Bridge Artificial Reefs Martin County Nearshore - Site 1 Nearshore - Site 2 Nearshore - Site 3 Sirotkin Reef Donaldson Reef Ernst Reef

55. ernst

56. Martin County’s “Plan”

57. "Who let the Reef Balls Out?"Bridget ConnerThe Walker School

58. "I felt like I was making a difference when I helped constrct a Reef Ball."Katey Ceccarelli

59. 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.

60. Reef by Darrin(Grade 5/K)

61. Thank You Martin County Coastal Engineering Division www.martin.fl.us/GOVT/

62. Types of Artificial Reefs Individual Units each unit provides surface areas & void spaces all by itself each individual unit must be stable Rubble Mound (Stacked) Units spaces between units provides void spaces interlocking of units promotes stability

63. Ship Disposal for Artificial Reefs

64. Deployment of Concrete Tetrahedrons

65. Colonization of Tetrahedron Reefs

66. Inlet Rock Site Donaldson Reef

67. Evans Crary Bridge Ernst Reef

68. Tetrahedron Site Sirotkin Reef

69. Reef Balls

70. Stresses to the Lagoon Population increase “Improvements” Freshwater discharges and runoff Exotic invasive species

72. Pressures on Natural Reefs Overfishing Boats Diving Algal blooms Sedimentation

73. Reef Balls are concrete bee-hive type structures

74. The MCARP Mobile Reef Building Unit aka "The Trailer"

75. mixing the ingredients

76. removing the mold

77. removing the bladder

78. Reef Balls waiting to be deployed

79. on the move...

80. Composite Units

81. Reef Ball

82. Visit www.martinreefs.com for more information on our Artificial Reef Program