Within Palm Beach County’s 47-mile Atlantic coastline lies part of the only living barrier coral reef system in the continental United States.  Florida’s Coral Reef stretches 360 miles from the St. Lucie Inlet south to the Dry Tortugas, formed thousands of years ago.  The reefs are lush with coral and limestone, shipwrecks, and a wide range of sea life.  Because of our close proximity to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, Palm Beach County is home to one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the country.

            Natural reefs support aquatic plants and animals by providing food and refuge for young marine life to develop.  The reefs protect our coastline by absorbing wave energy.  As we enter another hurricane season, it is important to note that this absorption helps prevent loss of life, property damage, and erosion, particularly in strong storm events.

            For more than 40 years, Palm Beach County (PBC) has worked to create artificial reefs using various materials to give the public additional areas for fishing, diving and snorkeling, and to protect our natural reefs from overuse.  The materials include limestone, concrete, and occasionally decommissioned ships that become marine habitats.  The Department of Environmental Resources Management has deployed over 49 vessels, 110,000 tons of concrete, and 140,000 tons of limestone boulders to create artificial reefs.

            The artificial reefs become new substrate for coral settlement and diversify habitat in otherwise sandy areas.  Once established, they provide the same food, shelter, protection and marine life spawning areas as the natural reefs.

            Both natural and artificial reefs support our local economy, generating over $280M dollars per year and supporting approximately 3,000 annual jobs.

            Funding for PBC’s artificial reef program comes from vessel registration fees, grants from federal and state agencies, donations from fishing clubs, local dive associations, corporations and individuals.  Non-monetary support includes donated reef material such as concrete, prefabricated modules, underwater art and ship hulls.

            This year’s artificial reef project plan involves a multi-partner effort.  For instance, the Florida Department of Transportation is donating material removed from the Earman Canal bridge renovation project in North Palm Beach to a reef project 75 feet offshore of South Palm Beach. 

One of PBC’s key artificial reef partners – the Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation – will deploy three to four reefs in 70-80 feet of water offshore of Juno Beach.  This project will consist of at least 1,000 tons of limestone boulders and 500 tons of concrete culverts.  This material – all donated - will be located near an existing artificial reef train in the Juno Beach permitted area. 

The artificial reef program is a prime example of Palm Beach County’s commitment to stewardship of our natural resources by creating new habitat.

            As always, please contact me if I can assist you at (561) 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.