Reef Ball Foundation
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (September 2021) |
 | |
| Founded | 1993 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Todd Barber, Kathy Kirbo, Larry Beggs, Eric Krasle, Jay Jorgensen, and Laura Shellhorse |
| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| 65-0785751 | |
| Focus | Ocean ecosystem repair |
| Location |
|
Revenue (2019) | $226,826 |
Volunteers (2019) | 400 |
| Website | reefballfoundation |
| [1] | |
Reef Ball Foundation, Inc. is a
History
Reef Ball Development Group was founded in 1993 by Todd Barber, with the goal of helping to preserve and protect coral reefs for the benefit of future generations., making them easy to deploy by hand or with a small boat, rather than requiring heavy machinery.
Over the next few years, with the help of research colleagues at
In 2001, Reef Ball Foundation took control of the Reef Ball Development Group, and operates all aspects of the business as a non-profit organization. By 2007, the foundation has deployed 550,000 reef balls worldwide.[6]
In 2019, Reef Ball Foundation deployed 1,400 reef balls in the shores of
Technology and research
The Reef Ball Foundation manufactures reef balls for open ocean deployment in sizes from 0.3 to 2.5 metres (1 to 8 ft) in diameter and 15 to 3,500 kilograms (30 to 8,000 lb) in weight. Reef balls are hollow, and typically have several convex-concave holes of varying sizes to most closely approximate natural coral reef conditions by creating whirlpools. Reef balls are made from pH-balanced microsilica concrete, and are treated to create a rough surface texture, in order to promote settling by marine organisms such as corals, algae, coralline algae and sponges.
Over the last decade, research has been conducted with respect to the ability of artificial reefs to produce or attract biomass,[8] the effectiveness of reef balls in replicating natural habitat,[9][10] and mitigating disasters.[11] The use of reef balls as breakwaters and for beach stabilization has been extensively studied.[12][13][14]
Projects
The foundation undertakes an array of projects including artificial reef deployment, estuary restoration, mangrove plantings, oyster reef creation, coral propagation, natural disaster recovery, erosion control, and education.
Notable projects include:
- In Antigua, undertaking 4,700 modules were deployed around the island.[15]
- In Malaysia, 5,000 reef balls were deployed around protected sea turtle nesting islands to deter netting, successfully increasing nesting numbers.
- In fisheryresources.
- In sea walls, and as a submerged breakwater to create oyster reefs.
- In Boxing Day Tsunamito help restore tourism.
- In P.T. Newmont used reef balls to mitigatedamage from mining operations and restore thousands of coral heads.
- In Australia, reef balls have been used to enhance fisheries in New South Wales.[citation needed]
Designed artificial reefs
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2018) |
The trend in artificial reef development has been toward the construction of designed artificial reefs, built from materials specifically designed to function as reefs. Designed systems (such as reef balls) can be modified to achieve a variety of goals. These include coral reef
Designed reefs have been developed specifically for coral reef rehabilitation, and can therefore be used in a more specific niche than materials of opportunity. Some examples of specialized adaptations which "designed reefs" can use include: specialized surface textures, coral planting attachment points, specialized pH-neutral surfaces (such as neutralized concrete, ceramics, or mineral accretion surfaces), fissures to create currents for corals, and avoidance of materials such as iron (which may cause algae to overgrow coral).[citation needed] Other types of designed systems can create aquaculture opportunities for lobsters, create oyster beds, or be used for a large variety of other specialized needs.
See also
- Underwater sculptures
- Project AWARE
- Reef Check
References
- ^ "Form 990 of Reef Ball Foundation, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2019" (PDF). Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
- ^ "Reef restoration provides passion for diver". CNN Heroes. Cable News Network. March 7, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ^ US 5564369A Reef Ball patent
- ^ Articles of Incorporation http://www.reefball.org/grantsupport/RBFGrantSupportDocs.pdfref
- ^ "The Reef Ball Foundation's Global Impact".
- ^ Naik, Gautam (October 26, 2007). "From Balls of Concrete To Habitats for Sea Life". Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ^ "Plans under way for artificial reef in Progreso, Yucatán". Mexico News Daily. March 13, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
- ISSN 0165-7836. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ISSN 1675-5820.
- ISSN 1054-3139. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ^ Quinn, TP; Glynn, EA; Dodge, RE; Banks, K; Fisher, L; Spieler, RE (August 12, 2005). "Hypothesis-based Restoration Study For Mitigation of a Damaged SE Florida Coral Reef". National Coral Reef Institute. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ^ "Miami Beach, Florida" (PDF). National Erosion Control Development and Demonstration Program (Section 227). U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. September 2004. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ^ Harris, Lee E (June 2003). Artificial Reef Structures for Shoreline Stabilization and Habitat Enhancement (PDF). Proceedings of the 3rd International Surfing Reef Symposium, Raglan, New Zealand. pp. 176–8. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ^ Harris, Lee E (August 12, 2005). "Stability analysis performed for the proposed submerged artificial reef breakwater". Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ^ "Antigua". Reef Innovations. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
