The engineering behind artificial reefs has been hit-or-miss.
- Some are very sturdy and offer excellent breakwater protection for the shoreline, but they don't work very well in attracting or maintaining marine life.
- Others have been developed specifically to help marine life flourish, but they don't protect the shoreline as well and more erosion takes place.
If only there was something that could do both...
Alas, this startup company called Reefy (of course it's called "Reefy", why not?) has developed what they believe is the perfect combination of strength and environment-friendly.
Reefy’s patented design is the first breakwater, the company claims, to both protect the coast and boost marine biodiversity. The huge blocks, made from low-carbon concrete, have a textured surface to attract oysters and mussels. Holes in the blocks let some water flow through since waves hitting a solid wall would bounce back and combine with incoming waves to become even more powerful. The crevasses also provide more habitat for breeding fish and other animals. The company is also testing a “reef paint” it designed with minerals like calcium to attract oysters to the surface of the structure.
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