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FLORIDA CORAL REEFS
Florida scientists use ‘coral IVF’ to save dying reefs as 1.5 million embryos offer new hope: How this process worksFlorida scientists are using a technique called “coral IVF” to restore damaged reefs, producing more than 1.5 million coral embryos in a ma...
Florida sinks abandoned 227-foot ship to create artificial reef off Atlantic coast; How the Borocho ship helps rebuild marine lifeThe Borocho, a retired cargo ship, has been purposefully sunk off the Florida coast to establish an artificial reef, a project concluded in...
Meet Vanguard: 220-ton underwater habitat installed off Florida Keys, here's how it can withstand Category 5 hurricanesSituated about 4.5 miles off the coast of the Florida Keys, Vanguard is an innovative underwater habitat intended for scientific investigat...
In 2016, New Jersey sank 5,000 tons of concrete from a demolished Brooklyn pier off Sandy Hook; the rubble was designed to become habitat for fish and musselsIn a 2016 initiative, rubble from a demolished pier in Brooklyn was repurposed to form a new reef, enhancing habitats for marine life. Whil...
In 2026, Australian researchers combined satellite images and desktop mapping to uncover more than 1,000 previously uncharted coral reefsIn a groundbreaking study, researchers have unveiled over 1,000 previously hidden coral reefs off the northern coast of Australia, utilizin...
In 2018, CRF measured coral restoration's economic ripple across Florida Keys for 5 years. 7 years later, researchers found up to 144% local economic contribution per dollar spentCoral restoration activities in the Florida Keys generated significant economic returns. For every dollar invested, restoration contributed...
Florida was throwing away damaged metal signposts. In 2026, they are being turned into underwater habitatsIn Florida counties, discarded road signposts are being creatively repurposed into underwater habitats. These metal structures are transfor...
In 2007, the Neptune Memorial Reef began growing off Florida with cremated remains; the planned 16-acre site later developed into a coral habitatAn innovative underwater cemetery presents a novel burial alternative, where cremated remains are encased in concrete structures designed t...
ARSBC bought HMCS Chaudière from Canada’s Defence Department for $1 plus 7 cents GST; after its reef conversion, glass tunicates came to cover much of the vesselThe Canadian warship HMCS Chaudière was acquired for a symbolic price and subsequently sunk, transforming it into a vibrant artificial reef...
A teenager’s 4-H project helped spark a coral restoration revolution in the Florida Keys—how Ken Nedimyer turned broken coral fragments into thousands of new reef coloniesA simple father-daughter 4-H project in the Florida Keys grew into a groundbreaking coral restoration effort. Ken Nedimyer’s experiment wit...
In 1997, Florida sank 8 A-7 Corsairs and a T-2 trainer off Jacksonville; 5 years later, all remained in place and were regularly used by divers and fishermenIn 1997, retired A-7 Corsair aircraft were deliberately sunk off the Florida coast, serving a dual purpose as artificial reefs. This innova...
In the mid-late 1970s, Florida sank an F-101, F-102, T-33 and Sikorsky off Bay County; the aircraft served as fishing and diving reefs for more than 10 yearsIn the 1970s, Florida made a bold choice by sinking military jets and helicopters into the Gulf of Mexico, creating makeshift fishing and d...
In 1993, Miami lowered a retired Boeing 727 called Spirit of Miami into the sea; a storm split it apart a year later, and coral, oysters, and fish moved inThe Spirit of Miami, a retired Boeing 727, now lies submerged beneath the waves, purposefully sunk to provide an ecological haven. The deva...
In 2009, Jacksonville sank the former Coast Guard tender Spike in 100 feet of water; one year later, a REEF diver counted 16 fish species, up from just 6An ex-Coast Guard ship now stands as an artificial reef, drawing the attention of vibrant marine life. At first, the submerged metal hull w...
In 2025, Miami sank 22 concrete cars beneath the Atlantic; what looks like an underwater traffic jam is actually a giant artificial reef for 2,200 coralsBeneath the waves off Miami Beach, a striking collection of 22 concrete cars lies submerged, serving as artificial reefs that support coral...
In 2002, Florida sank a 510-foot Navy ship off Key Largo; the USS Spiegel Grove became one of the world's largest purpose-built ship reefsIn 2002, the USS Spiegel Grove, a decommissioned Navy ship, was purposely sunk near Key Largo to form an artificial reef. This innovative a...
In 1986, Florida sank this 189-foot ship off the Florida Keys; decades later, its stripped superstructure is covered in sponges, corals and hydroidsThe Thunderbolt, a former military and research vessel, now serves as an artificial reef off Marathon in the Florida Keys. It was intention...
In 1985, the first invasive lionfish spotted off Florida after aquarium release; in three decades, they spread from Gulf of Mexico to the southern CaribbeanThe invasive lionfish, first introduced in the 1980s, has quickly proliferated across the Western Atlantic, extending its reach from Florid...
In 1970, US dumped 2 million tires into the ocean; a plan to save marine life turned into one of the biggest environmental blundersIn 1972, more than 2 million old tires were dumped into the Atlantic Ocean off Florida. The goal was simple. Create an artificial reef and ...
World sees 'severe' coral bleaching event: US agencyThe US NOAA reported a major coral bleaching event caused by warming oceans and climate change, with 2023 being the hottest year on record....