May / June 2000
May / June 2000
All around the world, our coral reefs are suffering. These 'rainforests of the sea' are under attack from pollution, over-fishing, rising ocean temperatures and marine pests such as the crown-of-thorns starfish.
Introducing the reef ball: a concrete ball ranging from football-sized to desk-sized with bid holes in its sides. This strange-looking object is designed to help rebuild teens by providing new habitats for coral, sponges, fish and other reef creatures.
First, the reef ball is towed out to its resting place, then lowered to the sea moor. The rough surface of the concrete provides tiny pits where marine creatures such as coral can attach themselves, and the holes in the reef ball are used by fish and other animals as shelter.
Photo courtesy of The Reef Ball Foundation
start their existence
as man-made coral reefs.
Photo courtesy of The Reef Ball Foundation
After a year,
the concrete
reef balls are already covered with
algae, sponges and coral, and
are home to lots of colourful
sea creatures.