EcoReefs Installations: Layouts

EcoReefs rehabilitations are designed to be large-scale, ecologically significant interventions. The optimal reef size and layout will vary depending on the project goals and setting.

We will work with you to plan the size and layout that best meets the needs of your project. Typical considerations include number and shape of module arrays, density of module arrays, spacing between arrays, substrate type, exposure, and proximity to high-quality reef habitat. For example, a 40' container will cover an area ranging in size from 725 to 1700 sq meters (1/4 - 1/2 of an acre) depending on the design of the layout.

An example EcoReefs layout optimized for rehabilitating reefs damaged by extensive blast fishing. This area-efficient design uses 900 modules to cover 1700 m2.

Modules are grouped into 48 arrays arranged to create contiguous cover and to enclose patches of coral rubble.

Gaps between the arrays allow large fish to school through the structure, but are narrow enough to be traversed by small fish, maintaining connectivity between populations.

The arrays provide abundant surface area for coral recruits, and corals recruiting to the enclosed rubble patches will have improved survival due to slower current velocities.

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EcoReefs Installations: Deployment

We will supervise the installation of the reef, as well as provide training for divers on proper techniques for loading, deploying, moving and anchoring modules. Prior to the installation, we will do a series of dives to inspect the site, confirm sediment depths and put down survey markers per the reef layout. Installations are straightforward, and because the modules are light enough to be handled by individual divers, multiple dive teams can be working in parallel.

Left to right: 1) Volunteer divers loading modules into boats. 2) Transporting modules to rehabilitation site. 3) Anchoring the center module for each array per the layout design. 4) Installing modules around the center module to build out the array. © 2004 Michael D. Moore

Left to right: 1) Some divers prefer to work without fins. 2) Others worked in teams of two with fins on. 3) Close-packing modules prior to anchoring. Red flag denotes the center module.
4) This puffer moved in even before we finished! © 2004 Michael D. Moore

Completed module array. In this installation, 33 arrays of 19 modules each were deployed in an area 65m x 18m (1170 sq meters), at depths ranging from 3m to 7m. The arrays were arranged in the rubble field rehabilitation layout pattern described above. © 2004 Michael D. Moore