A Reef Ball is a Designed Artificial Reef used to restore ailing coral reefs and to create new fishing and scuba diving sites. Reef Balls are used for beach protection, freshwater, mitigation, and many other uses too. Reef Balls are the only artificial reef that can be floated and towed behind any size boat! Reef Balls are made of a special, marine friendly, concrete and are designed to mimic natural reef systems, they are used around the world to create habitats for fish and other marine and freshwater species. Over 500,000 Reef Balls have been deployed in over 3,400 projects worldwide. Reef Balls are made in many sizes to best match the natural reef type which is being mimicked. The most common sizes are named:
Super Reef Ball=6 x 4.5, 5000 pounds
Reef or Ultra Ball = 5-6 X 3.8-4, 4000 pounds
Pallet Ball=4X3, 1750 pounds
Bay Ball=3X2, 400 pounds
Mini-Bay Ball=2 x 21", 300 pounds
Lo Pro Ball = 2 x 1, 75 pounds
Oyster Ball= 18"X1, 35 pounds
"Model" Ball = 7"x5", 6 pounds
Reef Balls are by far the most used designed artificial reefs in the world due to numerous special features which make them ideally suited to create aquatic habitats...
Reef Balls can be made with mold systems from the Reef Ball Foundation Inc. Services Division
Why Build Reefs?
Man's activities and natural disasters have led to a reductions in our natural reef systems. Recreationally, growth in sports fishing, scuba diving, and boating has increased the pressures on these systems. Commercially, our seafood industry is dependent on developing the ocean to enable ever larger, yet sustainable, harvests. The loss of our natural systems, coupled with increased use, COMPELS US TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SAVE NATURAL REEFS. Even so, the natural reefs cannot rebuild themselves fast enough to meet human demands. Long lasting artificial reefs are useful tools for restoring our reef systems to a natural and productive balance.
