The Science Behind The Fish Reef Project

Artist Rendition of Sea Cave® Fish Reef Units in cold water climate with kelp and marine life.
Fish Reef Project designs and deploys Fish Reef Units to enhance fish habitats by providing additional structure that can increase the production of fish and other aquatic organisms. Fish and other aquatic organisms are attracted to the new structures and begin to populate and breed in and around them. This in turn attracts more fish and aquatic life as a food chain develops.
Our designs create an up-welling effect, diverting colder, nutrient-rich water from the seabed up in the water column. This creates food for plankton and larval fish, which attracts small fish, which in turn attracts larger fish.
Each unique Fish Reef design creates complex spaces and habitats, with differences in light, shade and water flow, to encourage further colonization of marine organisms. The reef structures can be tailored to suit the requirements of specific target species such as rock lobster, abalone, demersal (living on or near the seafloor) or pelagic fin fish (living near to the surface or higher up in the water column).
Our current focus is on the Sea Cave Reef™ design. Sea Caves provide a unique elevated flat surface area ideal for large giant kelp hold fasts to grow. Larger hold fasts produce more strands of kelp, make a more dense kelp canopy and can withstand greater storm surge than small hold fasts.
STEP 1: DESIGN

Unique elevated flat surface area ideal for large giant kelp hold fasts to grow.
Large cave opening for marine life to enter Sea Cave™

Large cave chambers to provide ideal habitat for marine life to thrive.
STEP 2: MOLDS

3D Printed molds to ensure exact dimensions

Concrete pours straight into top of molds
STEP 3: POUR

When placed side by side, a dynamic cave system is created
Extra holes allow water to flow through & added surface area for kelp holdfast to latch onto.

Sea Cave Reef Unit™ is branded for added surface area and texture for corals and kelp to grow on
Metal hook installed for easy lifting and accurate placement

Sea Bed current simulations by Bruno Silva demonstrates how Sea Cave can increase upwelling and current interfaces while remaining stable on the seabed.
CASE STUDY: KELP HOLDFASTS

The start of a kelp holdfast

Kelp will grow on any surface like this small rock similar to the Sea Cave™ texture

The Sea Cave Reef Unit™ has a surface area large enough to hold a 36″ Kelp holdfast

Simulated scale model of Sea Cave Reef Unit™ underwater with attached kelp growth


