...Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, describes the definition of an artificial reef as “a manmade structure that may mimic some of the characteristics of a natural reef.” (NOAA) Humans have been creating these artificial reefs since the 1830s, when fishermen would strategically place logs in the water in order to form a habitat in which they could increase the amount of fish they could catch. These manmade structures could be constructed out of any object that can sink, including tires, decommissioned subway cars, old automobiles, oil drilling rigs, shopping carts, old refrigerators, and old vending machines to name a few. (NG) Bridges and lighthouses also provide artificial reefs in many areas. (NOAA) If the objects are smaller and not as heavy, the foundations must be created in order to hold these objects in place in...
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...fish species are only found here. People from near and far travel to this tropical paradise to enjoy the unique wildlife found under the surface of the water. Thou human impact and climate change has cause a loss of valuable habits for many of these beautiful organisms. Artificial reefs have been use to great effect to create new homes for marine life. Nothing attracts scuba divers then a good wreck. Many places around the country and the world have used artificial reefs to remarkable result. I propose sinking a ship off Oahu to create an artificial reef. Having a new shipwreck will not only help the environment, also boost the local economy, attract...
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...Coral reefs occupy only 0.2% of the ocean floor, yet they are the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems known today, and support over 25% of all marine organisms (Yip). Due to the massive amount of marine species that populate coral reef habitats, maintaining healthy reefs is crucial for the continuation of marine biodiversity. In past years, the increase of mortality rates in coral has been caused by a number of factors, including wide-spread stress and disease. In the Indo-Pacific, coral reefs have been declining at a rate of approximately 2% per year for the last 20 years (Yip). Coral reef fish biodiversity is crucial for the sustainability of the coral reef ecosystem, as well as for the ability of the coral reefs to provide services...
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...The Rigs to Reef Program commenced in September of 2012 and is managed by Federal and State agencies. In the United States, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and California approved detailed legislation to establish programs assisting in the construction of artificial reefs from oil and gas platforms (“Decommissioning and Rigs to Reefs…”). Marine life struggles to develop a habitat on the flat bottom floor in the Gulf of Mexico; however, with these “Towers of Life” in our gulf waters, sea life is now healthier than ever. Not only does this program benefit oil companies, but also allows coastal communities to flourish. Fishermen are reaping the benefits due to the drastic increase of the fish population around these sites. An experienced deep-sea...
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...and shells. Florida is an excellent place to encounter dolphins and manatees. Florida coral reef begins from around Miami and runs South along the Florida Keys. The Best Places To Snorkel In Florida Panama City Beach welcomes visitors with silky white quartz sand and clear emerald green waters. This Gulf beach is an incredible place to combine family rest and snorkeling. The rocky jetty near St. Andrews State Park provides easy and comfortable snorkeling. The jetty may...
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...questions relating to the productivity and habitat jobs of artificial arrangements. Numerous amounts of studies have been made and scientists have found increases in fish count and recruiting to gas and oil platforms and other artificial arrangements. Around these reefs, catch rates are higher. “For oil and gas platforms, off the coast of California, scientists have suggested that both, the upper depths and deeper structures may be very important to certain species in different life stages, with the platforms being used as both recruitment habitat for juvenile fish and also refuge areas for adult fish” (Ajemian 2). These arrangements...
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...3.1. Dive Professional Questionnaires Dive shop owners were very positive about MUSA; all believed that Cancun’s coral reef is in need of protection, from ‘direct human impacts’ as well as water pollution. All dive shop owners think MUSA successfully reduces pressure from the natural reefs as well as providing an alternative habitat for fish and allowing for the colonisation of coral. • Dive school 1 believes the number of visitors to MUSA has remained fairly constant. The owner thinks that there should only be one artificial reef like MUSA. • Dive school 2 has noticed an increase of visitors to MUSA and thinks that more artificial reefs like MUSA would be great to see. The owner would like for MUSA to be connected to the nearby natural reef. • Dive school 3 would like an interactive area so divers can improve their buoyancy an therefore reduce the chances of contact with the reef. 3.2. Diver Attitudes and Demographics...
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...Coral Reef Restoration Techniques in Florida Angel Fisch OCE1001 MW 9:30 am Palm Beach State College March, 2010 ABSTRACT An estimated 20% of the world’s coral reefs have been effectively destroyed and show no immediate prospects of recovery. In addition, 24% of reefs are under risk of collapse from human pressures and another 26% are under a long-term threat of collapse (Wilkinson, 2004). Therefore, preservation and restoration of coral reefs is of particular local, national and global interest. Although corals may have the ability to recover from natural disturbances, stresses from human activities coupled with natural stresses may inhibit their ability to recover (Edwards and Gomez, 2007). Restoring damaged and disturbed reefs may facilitate recovery and help compensate for reef destruction. This paper reviews coral reef restoration techniques and selected case studies at locations around the world. Some of the successes and potential issues of reef restoration projects are discussed along with considerations and implications for coral reef managers. INTRODUCTION Coral reefs, one of the oldest ecosystems on Earth, are highly complex and often called “rainforests of the sea” because of the diversity of life forms they support (Connell, 1978; Secord, 2001). Coral reefs are important both economically and ecologically. It is estimated that they provide US$375 billion per year around the world in goods and services, with approximately 500 million people dependent...
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...Coral Reef Mitigation Plan XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX SCI/275 October 9, 2011 XXXXXXXXXXXXX Coral Reef Mitigation Plan A recent report estimates that 27% of the world's reefs are already gone and severely damaged and that another 58% are degraded and threatened. Here in the United States, in faraway places, and in the planet’s most secluded areas are experiencing coral reef crisis. Coral reefs survival are endangered from a controlling mixture of stresses which include global warming, bleaching, carbon dioxide, water pollution, sedimentation, coastal development, damaging fishing practices, coral mining, tourism, and ozone depletion. Threatening behavior from human activities, either direct or indirect, create considerable hazards to coral reef ecosystems, and the human populations that rely on them. Ocean warming caused from global warming and ozone depletion is severely hazardous to coral reefs. Coral organisms are extremely receptive to temperature changes. Water temperature increase may cause mass bleaching among coral reefs which causes coral polyps to expel zooxanthellae from the stress caused by ultraviolet radiation or heat. Zooxanthellae supplies reef corals with up to 80% of its energy, making zooxanthellae necessary for coral survival (Coral Reef Alliance, 2010). Zooxanthellae provide color for corals so when released corals become white or bleached. Coral have a chance to recover from bleaching effect only if normal conditions return promptly enough, but in most...
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...201-140-3A-06 Coral Reefs are located in tropical oceans near the equator. The largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia The second largest coral reef can be found off the coast of Belize. In Central America. Other reefs are found in other areas in tropical oceans. Corals can exist as individuals polpys, or in colonies and communities that contain hundreds to hundreds of thousands of polyps. For example, brain corals are some of the most recognizable coral species. These corals are colonies of many individual polyps, the individual polyps average 1-3mm in diameter. The physical structure of a coral reef is built by reef building polyps. When they secrete calcium carbonate skeletons, they create a complex three dimensional framework upon which an abundance of coral species and other marine plants and animals may live. About 25 % of all marine life is found in coral reefs, including around two million species of fish, crustaceans, sponges and seaweeds. Together these plants and animals form the coral reef ecosystem. As well as supporting marine biodiversity, reef ecosystems provide a number of ecological services and goods to human populations on a local, regional, and national level as they play an important role in coastline and habitat protection, nitrogen fixing, sand supply, climate records, fisheries, medicine, recreation and tourism. Coral reef frameworks can serve as physical buffers for ocean waves and currents. As waves pass over a reef structure, their...
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...Marine conservation From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Coral reefs have a great amount of biodiversity. Marine conservation, also known as marine resources conservation, is the protection and preservation of ecosystems in oceans and seas. Marine conservation focuses on limiting human-caused damage to marine ecosystems, and on restoring damaged marine ecosystems. Marine conservation also focuses on preserving vulnerable marine species. Contents 1 Overview 2 Coral reefs 3 Human impact 4 Techniques 5 Technology and halfway technology 6 Laws and treaties 7 Organizations and education 8 References 8.1 Notes 8.2 Bibliography 9 External links Overview Marine conservation is the study of conserving physical and biological marine resources and ecosystem functions. This is a relatively new discipline. Marine conservationists rely on a combination of scientific principles derived from marine biology, oceanography, and fisheries science, as well as on human factors such as demand for marine resources and marine law, economics and policy in order to determine how to best protect and conserve marine species and ecosystems. Marine conservation can be seen as subdiscipline of conservation biology. Coral reefs Coral reefs are the epicenter for immense amounts of biodiversity, and are a key player in the survival of an entire ecosystem. They provide various marine animals with food, protection, and shelter which...
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...Garibaldi fish. Many types of marine life can be found in the La Jolla shores water. On the floors of this ecosystem you can find crustaceans, mollusks, and invertebrates. While snorkeling you can find animals such as fish, rays, and sharks. Green sea turtles are one reptile that calls La Jolla shores home. The most common land animals are birds. Between La Jolla Shores and La Jolla cove is the San Diego-La Jolla underwater park, a marine life preservation and aquatic recreation zone with multiple components (San Diego, 2013). The park was created by the City of San Diego in 1970 and includes the Ecological Reserve and the Marine Life Refuge. Spanning a 6,000 acre-wide area of ocean floor, tidal shoals, and coastal shoreline, two artificial reefs have been put in place to attract and enhance marine life (San Diego, 2013). The Ecological Reserve has the most special protections, all marine animals in this area are protected by law. No fishing...
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...Garibaldi fish. Many types of marine life can be found in the La Jolla shores water. On the floors of this ecosystem you can find crustaceans, mollusks, and invertebrates. While snorkeling you can find animals such as fish, rays, and sharks. Green sea turtles are one reptile that calls La Jolla shores home. The most common land animals are birds. Between La Jolla Shores and La Jolla cove is the San Diego-La Jolla underwater park, a marine life preservation and aquatic recreation zone with multiple components (San Diego, 2013). The park was created by the City of San Diego in 1970 and includes the Ecological Reserve and the Marine Life Refuge. Spanning a 6,000 acre-wide area of ocean floor, tidal shoals, and coastal shoreline, two artificial reefs have been put in place to attract and enhance marine life (San Diego, 2013). The Ecological Reserve has the most special...
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...offshore dumping Zoning Increasing funding for farmers to reduce run off through water quality- from budget. Budget increased by 25 million per annum for 4 years in oder to restore reef as of 1st July 2014. GBRMPA 1995 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 25 year plan. Justification; why save the reef? tourist attraction 7th wonder of the word contributes 6 billion to Australian economy produces 63 000 jobs The Great Barrier Reef is the longest coral reef structure in the world extending over 2300 km from papua new guinea on Queensland’s east coast. It renowned for it visibility from space considering it holds more than 2900 individual reefs and is home to over ‘6 300’ different species (wwf). Although this ecosystem is protected as a World Heritage site, it has still been significantly impacted by human activities, including pollution, mining and urban run off. Traditional management strategies have been a vast help over the past thousands of year but the severity of human impacts have dramatically increased in the past 50 years and contemporary strategies have been put into practise in attempt to reduce these. While the Great Barrier Reef stands as a beautiful testament to the power of natural construction, in recent years there have emerged numerous threats to the existence of the reef that loom and make its future fairly uncertain which is mainly due to the influence of man. Global warming is caused by the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which...
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...The revolutionary new techniques in virtual reality has taken us by storm and we can only imagine what we could do with this in the future. Many people feel hopeful about it, others fear of what negative impacts are hiding in the future inventions. So what’s your opinion on VR, will it benefit or handicap us in the future? VR is an invention that is growing bigger and bigger. It is a computer engineering technique that lets you experience things in a made up reality through a pair of goggles, it simulates the user's physical presence in a realistic or fictional environment. VR creates artificial experiences that can involve different senses to make it feel realistic. The growing interest in VR will probably affect our lives in many ways...
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