Problems With Artificial Reefs

Many people have heard of the wondrous biodiversity and stunning colors of natural oceanic reefs, but humans can create artificial reefs as well. Artificial reefs are not a new idea; ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans used them to increase fish stocks and give a boost to underwater plants. Artificial reefs can also have health, scientific and environmental advantages. However, they have a number of drawbacks as well.

Environmental Hazards

• While artificial reefs can benefit a submerged habitat, they sometimes fail to achieve their environmental objective, serving only as a form of trash disposal. Dropping large objects into the sea to serve as artificial reefs can damage preexisting habitats or displace wildlife from their homes.

Fishing

• Artificial reefs have the potential to exacerbate problems with overfishing. These reefs can serve as additional areas where fish live and breed, but artificial reefs only worsen the situation by creating additional fishing areas. Moreover, the gradual erosion of the artificial material may have negative health effects on the fish and, in turn, the people who consume them.

Safety

• Artificial reefs have an unreliable safety record. According to "Newsweek," an artificial reef composed of disused tires ended up coming apart, distributing two million tires throughout the sea and causing damage to natural reefs, boats and the shore. Artificial reefs made of such things as decommissioned subway cars are also often used as diving sites, but the safety of using them for such purposes is questionable.

Monitoring and Cleanup

• One ongoing issue with artificial reefs involves who should monitor and maintain them. There is much dispute over who is responsible for overseeing the reefs, once they are dropped in the water. Some artificial reefs require maintenance, repair or removal over time -- procedures that can be costly. They also require monitors to track their effectiveness and impact on the environment.