Reef Ball Foundation Photos and Project Description Database

MES Oyster Monitoring Assessment Report 11/2006. A very good report on using Reef Balls for oyster enhancement. Introduction This monitoring and qualitative assessment study was performed by the Maryland Environmental Service (MES) to determine and document the success of Reef Balls in improving benthic and fish habitat at reef sites in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay. The findings are based on video monitoring and other sources. The majority of the monitoring performed did not include quantitative assessments of the benthic and fisheries growth related to reef balls due to funding constraints. However, one study provides fisheries catch per unit effort for a ?reef ball site? in comparison with a ?nonreef ball? site. The monitoring includes underwater video footage captured by MES using an Atlantis underwater video camera system at six Reef Ball sites monitored in 2005 and four sites monitored (to date) in 2006. Due to equipment limitations, limited underwater visibility, currents, and the presence of ?marine snow? at most of the locations, video quality is limited at some of the sites, but MES believes that the video footage does demonstrate use of the Reef Balls as benthic and fish habitat. The DVDs of the 2004-5 and 2006 monitoring are included with the report. Also included in this report are other sources of information and documentation assessing the habitat improvement of Reef Balls in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay. Findings at individual reef sites are presented on the following pages.......