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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 2:27 a.m., Thursday, November 30, 2006

More fish habitats added to artificial reef

Advertiser Staff

Approximately 2,500 "Z" shaped modular fish habitats were added to the Maunalua Bay artificial reef, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said yesterday.

The modules were loaded onto a barge and deployed in 60 to 80 feet of water near the Kahala shoreline.

Each "Z"-shaped form measures eight feet long by four feet wide with 12-inch legs at each end facing in opposite directions.

The Maunalua Bay reef is approximately 74 acres in size and was created in 1961. It consists of 1,593 cars, 2,004 tons of concrete pipes, 2,278 tire modules, 5 barges, 40 truck tires, 300 table shelters, 9,890 z-modules, 1 military LCU, 70 concrete anchor blocks, and 6,150 tons of miscellaneous concrete pieces.

"New coral and seaweed will grow on the forms, which will provide additional habitat to new communities of reef fish," said DLNR Chairperson Peter Young. "Artificial reefs increase potential fishing grounds for fishermen, and the cost to the State is minimal," he said.

Prior to and during the deployment of the "Z" forms, the target area was marked with surface floats to warn fishermen, boaters, and divers to stay clear of the barge and the reef site, for safety reasons.

DLNR has four shallow water (50 to 100 feet deep) artificial reefs and one deepwater (300 to 420 feet) artificial reef.

Three of the shallow water reefs are located off of O'ahu at Waianae, Maunalua Bay, Kualoa. The fourth is located off of Keawekapu on Maui.

The deep water artificial reef is located off of Ewa Beach.

Numerous studies have shown that artificial reefs are effective at enhancing reef habitat, thus increasing fish biomass and species diversity within the reef site. Artificial reefs are key components in fisheries enhancement, as well as a substrate for the settlement of coral polyps (coral growth). Artificial reefs are also attractive SCUBA and snorkel dive sites.