Reef Ball Foundation Photos and Project Description Database

In August of 1994, the Reef Ball Group secured a donation of a Bay Ball (tm) mold for the Boy Scout High Adventure Sea Base on Islamorada in the Florida Keys. As part of the adventure, boys and girls build and deploy Bay Balls (tm) on a permitted site 3 miles offshore in shallow waters. The project was expanded in 1995 to include the use of the smaller Lo-Pro Ball (tm) and Oyster Ball (tm) molds . Slides are available of the boys and girls constructing the Reef Balls (tm) and of the underwater scene. The molds were donated by Charbon's Outdoors America Dive Shop in Athens, Georgia. (706) 548-7225. "Charbon's Alley" and "Scout" reef is located at 24" 45.41' N and 80" 49.11'W. Each scout also has the opportunity to contribute to the Sea Base's ongoing construction of a new artificial reef site by building and putting in place a concrete "reef ball." The 3-foot- (0.9-meter-) diameter hollow balls serve as homes for small fish and many other types of sea life, including coral itself. Today, the reef, made up of some 200 balls, is estimated to be more than 20 yards (18 meters) wide and at least 60 yards (55 meters) long.

The Reef Ball Development Group had a booth, Staffed By Larry Beggs, Jay Jorgensen and Patty Jorgensen with free Reef Ball videos at the 52nd meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute which was held Nov. 1-5 1999 at the Holiday Inn Beachside in Key West

This is a cooperative project between the City of Key West and Reef Relief to create a swim lane on the south side of the island from the shoreline out 600 feet, from a point near the White Street Pier, westward to a point near the foot of Duval Street. This zone would be marked by installing demarcation buoys. Motorized vessels would be prohibited from entering the swim lane, however two entry lanes would be established for continued access to the shore by vessels. The existing channel, marking the entry to the Casa Marina Docks would be one of the entry lanes. The location of the second entry lane that would access the Atlantic Shores and the Reach beaches is yet to be determined. The exact position of the swim zone demarcation buoys and entry lanes would be established in cooperation with the commercial boat companies and property owners in this area. Considerations must also be made for people who fish from the White Street Pier. It is important to keep swimmers and snorkelers away from fishing gear. The swim zone will tuck inward near the area near the pier (see map). In addition to the swim zone. Reef Relief also plans to install reef ball habitats comprised of fossilized coral rocks arranged in a spur and groove formation through out the swim zone in order to create fish habitats and to provide hard surfaces upon which coral can grow. These habitats create wonderful snorkel sites and provide protection for a myriad of species. Reef Balls have been installed at many snorkel sites around the world and have enhanced both the natural environment and the snorkeling experience in those areas. NOTE: although planned, Reef Balls were not used because permits were not issued.