19 replies to this topic

[drbill]

Yes, Rick, we have a deep water reef located near the proposed sink site which will most likely serve as a control site for our pre- and post-sink monitoring. Also several shallower reefs nearby.

Although I'm a novice when it comes to artificial reefing, I certainly have a reasonable handle on our local ecology, at least in the kelp forests. However, I've posted this here and on other SCUBA-related boards to get feedback from others about issues I may not even have thought of regarding sink activities.

[Hipshot]

Although I'm a novice when it comes to artificial reefing, I certainly have a reasonable handle on our local ecology, at least in the kelp forests. However, I've posted this here and on other SCUBA-related boards to get feedback from others about issues I may not even have thought of regarding sink activities.

I suspect that in all probability, with your specific knowledge of the marine ecology of the waters around the island, you're probably the best authority on whether or not the reef should be constructed. Looking at it as an outsider, there are a few things that appear to be in favor of the reef:

• Biological productivity around Santa Catalina Island is probably high enough that the reef won’t serve as a fish aggregating device.
• Unless there is a habitat of special interest that the reef would be replacing, there shouldn’t be a problem with the reef’s location, provided that it doesn’t become a navigation hazard.
• As long as the reef material doesn’t introduce contamination to the surrounding waters and sediments, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Just about the only question I have remaining would be that if there is a prevailing current, would the reef be positioned to serve as a sediment trap? I’ve seen it with groins and jetties, where the area downstream becomes sediment-starved.

I would say that you're the expert here, and the go/no-go decision should probably be yours.

Rick

[drbill]

The sediment trapping issue is one I'll need the advice of experts on. There are two ways of placing the wreck. My opinion is that one of them will definitely create a sediment trap (yet offers the best diving potential) while the other way would minimize the problem with sediments (and still allow very decent diving).

[WreckWench]

How does one know if you are creating fish populations or just redistributing the existing populations PRIOR to sinking an artificial reef and waiting to see what happens?

[drbill]

WW... this is one of the reasons for having a control reef nearby. You can look at the fish densities on that control reef prior to and then after sinking to see what happens to the population already there.