Broward County Artificial Reefs

Since 1982, Broward County has created over 150 artificial reefs off our shores. The reefs, which are designed to create new stable substrate, are constructed using three basic materials: concrete, steel, or limestone boulders. Therefore, artificial reefs can utilize environmentally suitable objects: ships, barges, oil rigs, concrete culverts, engineered concrete modules, or sculptures. These materials are placed at various depths where they quickly become habitat for a large number of marine organisms. Through the artificial reef program, the County is not only creating additional habitat for various marine organisms and fish, but are also protecting the reefs as boat anchors and scuba divers can cause physical damage to natural reefs by breaking coral or "uprooting" other attached marine animals. In other words, artificial reefs provide some relief from human-caused reef stressors.