Now, these galleons are joined by retired aircraft carriers, oil rigs, and even New York City subway cars. Sunken ships have provided reef structures for hundreds of years. These days, people use a much wider-and much weirder-variety of materials for reef-building. Ancient civilizations like the Persians built artificial reefs out of organic material like trees and inorganic material like rocks. Two thousand years ago, the Greek historian Strabo reported that Persians built reef barriers across the Tigris River to prevent pirates from India from crossing it. Coastal communities relied on artificial reefs for protection. People have constructed underwater barriers for thou sands of years. Australian beaches at Perth and the Gold Coast have also constructed artificial reefs for this purpose. El Segundo, California, was the first area to try an artificial reef to improve surfing. These reefs are usually located far offshore and have the benefit of creating a larger, safer swimming area near the coast. Engineers have experimented with reef shapes to improve surfing conditions. A third reason for building reefs is to create a wave pattern that promotes the sport of surfing. Japan is also a leader in creating artificial reefs for pearl-producing oysters. Artificial reefs can also prepare sedentary creatures, such as clams and oysters, for harvest. Japan creates artificial reefs to encourage the growth of schools of snapper, for instance. The reef’s size and shape provide shelter for different kinds of fish, so fish farmers can increase their catch by investing in reefs. Aquaculture is the art and science of cultivating ocean life for food and industry. states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have contributed to the area’s wildlife and encouraged tourism. Artificial reefs off the Atlantic coast of the U.S. Brightly colored fish, sea anemones, and sea stars also make reefs popular with scuba divers and snorkelers. The wide variety of fish (including sharks) make recreational fishing popular in reef ecosystems. Plants, plankton, algae, sponges, eels, fish, crabs, and sea turtles are just some of the organisms that thrive in healthy reefs. The second reason people construct reefs is to promote sea life for recreation and aquaculture. The Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, has constructed reefs to protect its low-lying coral islands from cyclones and other factors that may lead to beach erosion. In this way, reefs also protect coastlines from erosion. Reefs act as barriers between the coast and powerful ocean storms. Artificial Reefs People create reefs for three chief reasons. Reefs can also be artificial-created by human beings. Natural reefs are made of rocks or the skeletons of small animals called corals. A reef is a ridge of material at or near the surface of the ocean.
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