Just as Broward County 's beaches attract tourists, the offshore marine environment draws diving and fishing enthusiasts from all over the world. While this represents an important asset to Broward County , it also creates significant pressure on natural resources. Boat anchors and scuba divers can cause physical damage to natural reefs by breaking coral or "uprooting" other attached marine animals. Commercial and recreational fishing, spear fishing, or lobster-taking can also seriously deplete fishery resources.
Reef Monitoring Program
Broward County's Natural Resources Planning and Management Division has been monitoring the County's reef system periodically since the 1980s, and continuously since 1997. There are 25 permanent research sites located along Broward's 23 miles of coastline.
Transect lines have been established at each station, and the numbers and various species of corals and sponges are recorded to compare spatial and temporal differences throughout the reef system. Along each transect line, one square-meter quadrants are photographed and studied to monitor changes in the reef environment, and fish counts are carried out to identify species assemblages found at each of the study sites.
In addition, sediment fallout collections are sampled at each of the research stations to determine the amount and grain size distribution of suspended sediments that settle onto the reef. The results of this biological monitoring not only provide a time series record of Broward County's reef system, but also assist in the identification of stressors which may damage or change the numbers and populations of corals and sponges on the reef.
Artificial Reef Program
Since 1982, the Broward County 's Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department, Natural Resources Planning and Management Division, has created over 112 artificial reefs off Broward County 's shores. The reefs, which are designed to create a new stable substrate, are made from a variety of materials including ships, barges, oil rigs, limestone rock, concrete culverts, engineered concrete artificial reef modules, and other environmentally suitable artificial reef materials. These materials are deployed at various depths of the Atlantic Ocean off Broward County 's shores, where they quickly become habitat for a myriad of marine life. Through the artificial reef program, we are not only creating additional habitat for various marine organisms and fish; we are also helping to decrease user pressure on our natural reefs. This will benefit both our environment and our economy for years to come.
The construction of artificial reefs has been a joint effort among government agencies, corporations, foundations, and individuals. Tax deductible donations of material, services, and transportation costs have been the keys to the success of the Artificial Reef Program. Donations to the Artificial Reef Program are always welcome and these donations will help to make Broward County a better place to live, work, and visit.
Tire Reef Removal Project
When creating an artificial reef, it is important to understand how the materials will act over time in the marine environment. Some materials are better suited than others to be used in the construction of an artifical reef. Ships, concrete, and limestone boulders are examples of materials that have been used locally and worldwide and have been very successful in creating habitat for fish and benthic organisms. Tires are an example of material that may not be suitable for use as an artificial reef. Broward County is working with State and Federal agencies to remove a failed artificial reef constructed wholly of tires.
Learn more about the Tire Removal Project
Diving on an Artificial Reef
Many scuba divers have found artificial reefs to be a beautiful and exciting dive. The diving-oriented artificial reefs in Broward County are diverse in type, depth, and level of diving difficulty. As with any wreck dive, safety concerns are paramount. Make diving on Broward's artificial reefs a safe and enjoyable experience by following these guidelines:
- Wreck Diver SCUBA Certification is extremely beneficial and is available through most dive facilities in Broward County.
- Always assess the weather situation before leaving the dock, and again at the wreck site. There are many days in Broward County where there is excellent visibility and no current offshore. There are also days where visibility is bad, the current strong, and the ocean rough. The wreck will be there for many decades. It is better to abort a planned dive than to end up in trouble.
- When diving on an artificial reef, always leave someone on board the boat who can operate the boat in an emergency. This person should maintain a watch for divers surfacing downstream of the artificial reef.
- Observe the buddy system, which is crucial to wreck diving.
- Be aware of the hazards of monofilament fishing line and other snags. Each diver should carry a knife and/or wire cutters to avoid entanglement.
- Penetration of any wreck is not recommended. The most colorful and beautiful corals, sponges and fish are on the outside of the wreck where sunlight enhances growth of these organisms.
- Pre-plan your dive and stay with that plan to avoid barotrauma. Divers should always maintain their dive profile and should be aware that some dive oriented artificial reefs rise sixty feet off the ocean floor.
- Finally, only dive within your capability.
Fishing on an Artificial Reef
Many different species of fish can be caught over or near artificial reefs. Reefs deeper than 200 feet are especially productive for large pelagic predators. Amberjack, strong fighting fish that can weigh over 100 pounds, are one of the most common reef residents. Amberjack school over the artificial reefs from January to July, with May being the peak month. During this period, the fish are spawning and there is the potential for over harvesting.
Because of their relatively poor table value, amberjack should be released whenever possible. It is best to keep the fish in the water while removing the hook or cutting the leader. When caught, the amberjack's air bladder often inflates and the fish is not able to descend after being released. The gentle insertion of an ice pick or large hypodermic needle into the air bladder will deflate the air bladder without hurting the fish.
Other species of wreck dwellers are black, gag, warsaw, and snowy groupers. Giant goliath grouper also make many of the wrecks their home. Anglers should remember that grouper are extremely slow-growing fish and conservation of these species is critical. For current regulations, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Fishermen need not be directly on top of an artificial reef to benefit from it. Many species, including sailfish, kingfish, Spanish mackerel, barracuda, mutton snapper, and cobia appear to use the artificial reefs as the center for their feeding forays. These blue water roamers can be caught in abundance many hundreds of yards from the artificial reef. Cold, plankton-rich waters are forced by the Gulf Stream up and over the top of the wreck. Often, in strong currents, an eddy can be seen on the surface, down current from an artificial reef. Game fish often lurk in this "disturbed" water, feeding on bait fish and pelagic crustaceans.
For more information on Broward County's reefs, email Dr. Kenneth Banks or call 954-519-1207.
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