Reef Ball Foundation Photos and Project Description Database

Environmental thinking KENNY PEKRUN (right), a marine fisheries technician with the N.C. Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources, and Manteo Commissioner Stuart Wescott discussed on Monday the limitless possibilities of placing artificial reef balls off the Outer Banks coast. The aquarium reef ball being held by Wescott is a miniature model of the 500 pallet reef balls currently being constructed in Wanchese. (N. Garrett photo) 500 artificial reef balls nearly ready to be sunk By NOAH GARRETT Exactly 500 artificial reef balls currently being constructed in Wanchese are almost ready to be dumped offshore as another reef site maintained by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. Marine Fisheries Technician Kenny Pekrun, of the N.C. Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources, said the 500 reef balls are just one example of the types of artificial structures used to enhance sand bottom areas offshore. According to North Carolina's Artificial Reef Guide, durable and stable material such as concrete pipe, ships, barges, and prefabricated structures are colonized by small marine organisms soon after settling in the water. Once the smaller creatures begin to flourish, small bait fish begin feeding. When the bait fish arrive, the bigger predatory fish follow which nearly completes the new oceanic habitat in just a short time period. On top of using reef balls, other materials including sea vessels, train boxcars, boat mold and surplus military aircraft are used to make artificial reefs. In this location in particular, Pekrun said the rubble from the new Croatan Sound bridge construction is being used. The 500 reef balls, which cost more than $100 a piece to build, are being built by Reef Innovations.......

The Virginian-Pilot Tuesday, September 12, 2000 MAN-MADE MARINE HABITAT Larry Beggs, above left, and Shawn Trew pack concrete into a "reef ball" mold at Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park on Monday. More than 500 concrete balls will be placed in clusters five miles off Nags Head. The state Division of Marine Fisheries hopes the artificial reef will attract and shelter fish and other sea life. At left is an aquarium-sized model of the reef balls.....