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 CurrentsTropical and temperate faunaPelagic speciesLarval transport

3. Estuary - Lagoon SystemImportant nursery habitatsSystem results in highest number of marine and estuarine fish in North America

4. The St. Lucie Inlet The vital link between systemsAdults come in to spawnJuveniles transition to offshoreFlushing action keeps estuary healthy

5. OffshoreReef linesComposed of rock outcropSupport growth of attaching organismsAlgae, Soft corals, Sponges, Hard corals, Hydroids, Polychaete worms and moreHard substrate provides shelter and food for reef fishes

6. Offshore Sand and shell hashComprises up to 95% of bottom surface inside 150 ft.Home to 3 commercially important invertebrates Rock shrimp, pink shrimp and golden crabsImportant food source to many reef fish “halo effect”Perfect substrate for artificial reef deploymentCurrently permitted sites comprise less that 0.1% of soft bottom

7. Estuaries St. Lucie River historically productive oyster habitatLost 95% of oyster population in last 40 yearsIndian River Lagoon transformedSeawalls and hardened shorelinesImpoundment of mangroves for mosquito controlImportant juvenile habitat lostMajor impact on bird population – nothing to eat!

8. Socioeconomic Value of ReefsIn Martin CountyAnnual public expenditure $7.2 millionSupports over 100 jobsResults 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)

11. Typesof Artificial ReefsIndividual Units

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

16. interlocking of units promotes stabilityEngineeringDesign Factorswater depth - structure purposeunit size - weight, stability, anchoringvertical & horizontal reliefsurface area & void spacesdurability & longevitywaves , currents, and tidesscour, deposition, settlement

18. Acceptable MaterialsNatural Florida RockCustom Fabricated UnitsConcrete - new or waste, w/wo additivesWaste Disposal (material of opportunity)Metals - ships, planes, etc.Concrete structures –bridge material, culverts, construction debris, etc. Hybridsmaterials of opportunity combined into reef units

19. Custom Artificial Reef Units

20. Recycled Materials

21. Composite Units

22. Florida Artificial Reef Development Plan, 1992Acknowledged 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 ProgramGoal: 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

24. Martin County’s Reef Sites

25. Program ElementsConstruction of artificial reefsMonitoringMappingFish countBenthic identificationProject assessmentPublic EducationGrant 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 SiteNewest Reef SiteFFWCC Construction Grant$60,000 in grant fundsRecycled material6-8 low relief sitesComingSoon

34. Nearshore ReefsMi

35. Estuary RestorationThe 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 ReefsFilter impurities______Gallons/day!!Provide habitatStabilization

39. Reef Ball Construction

40. Reef Ball Deployment

41. One year later……sponges, algaeand tunicates . . .. . . and a shrimpbut not big enough for dinnerPhotos 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.

43. Community InvolvementMartin County Anglers ClubArtificial Reef fund501.c.3 non-profitMartin County Anglers Club

44. Stuart Sailfish Club

45. Safari 1 Deep Sea Fishing

46. Marine Industries

47. Marine Industries of the Treasure CoastEducation

48. Other Projects Bathtub Beach

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

50. Other Projects Bathtub BeachSt. Lucie InletManatee PocketHutchinson Island Beach Project

51. Nearshore Reefs Nearshore reefs are constructed with pilings from the Evans Crary Bridge• … at NO COST to Martin County

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

53. May9th2007September 1st, 2007October 1st, 2007 September 30th, 2007

54. Evans Crary BridgeArtificial ReefsMartin CountyNearshore - Site 1Nearshore - Site 2Nearshore - Site 3Sirotkin ReefDonaldson ReefErnst 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 YouMartin County Coastal Engineering Divisionwww.martin.fl.us/GOVT/

62. Types of Artificial ReefsIndividual Unitseach unit provides surface areas & void spaces all by itselfeach individual unit must be stableRubble Mound (Stacked) Unitsspaces between units provides void spacesinterlocking of units promotes stability

63. Ship Disposal for Artificial Reefs

64. Deployment of Concrete Tetrahedrons

65. Colonization of Tetrahedron Reefs

66. Inlet Rock SiteDonaldson Reef

67. Evans Crary BridgeErnst Reef

68. Tetrahedron SiteSirotkin Reef

69. Reef Balls

70. Stresses to the LagoonPopulation increase“Improvements”Freshwater discharges and runoffExotic invasive species

72. Pressures on Natural ReefsOverfishingBoatsDivingAlgal bloomsSedimentation

73. Reef Balls are concrete bee-hive type structures

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

75. mixing the ingredients