What is possible at my site?
EcoReefs can be used alone to create fish & coral habitat, or integrated with other treatments designed around complementary organisms (e.g. seagrasses, oysters). Depending on the scale of the project, EcoReefs can be used alongside various rockworks to create features of interest or necessity (e.g. amphitheaters, islets, pinnacles, jetties, groins, pipeline armor). Most of our customers have specific goals for their projects, such as compensatory restoration to remedy evironmental impact liability from coastal construction, increasing the diversity and abdundance of fish and coral in overfished or damaged MPA sites, or enhanced watersports revenues at beachfront resorts.
Can I establish a coral reef?
This map shows the global distribution of coral species -- generally speaking, sites where there are more than 50 coral species present have a good chance of establishing significant coral growth from either natural recruitment or transplantation on EcoReefs installations. This assumes that the water quality is good and physical parameters are within normal bounds for shallow water marine organisms. Outside of these zones, EcoReefs installation will primarily benefit fish and sub-tropical invertebrates.
How long will it take?
There is some regional variability, however on EcoReefs installations we find that naturally-recruited young corals are plainly visible within two years of installation, and that transplanted corals will be well established in similar timeframe. Some of the faster growing species (Acropora spp.) can start to overtop the modules within 18 months of transplantation.
What about fish?
Fish move into EcoReefs structures almost immediately. Other invertebrates will also move in quickly, including sponges, bryozoans, tunicates, echinoderms, arthropods and a variety of molluscs (snails, oysters, octopi).
How important is water quality?
Sites with chronic water quality issues (excess nutrients, low oxygen, toxic metals, siltation etc) have inherently limited potential, and may only be suitable for creating fish habitat (fish are less sensitive to water quality compared to corals).In some cases, marine ecological enhancements may be able to improve water quality if conditions are not too extreme.
What other parameters influence reef potential?
Management practices impact long-term success. We encourage our clients to work within (or establish) a marine conservation framework to limit potential uses that may negatively impact the site (e.g. fishing, anchoring, collecting, road building). Where traditional enforcement is not an option, we advocate the establishment of a community-based conservation programme.
What will it cost?
Cost depends on the scope and setting of the project, and we can prepare a proposal that is tailored to your specific needs and budget.
What is the smallest order?
The smallest order is a 20' standard shipping container which contains components for approximately 325 EcoReefs modules. Most customers order one or more 40' containers, each 40' container has components for approximately 700 EcoReefs modules, which covers 500-700 m2 depending on the reef layout.
What is the largest order?
Our production is scalable to meet the needs of the largest projects. EcoReefs components are made using industrial high-volume ceramics manufacturing techniques.
What is the lead time?
We typically maintain at least one 40' container in stock for expedited projects, otherwise lead time is 180 days.
What are the logistics?
We ship ceramic components to any container port in the world, with transit times of 10 - 35 days depending on the location. We ship also ship additional consumables by air freight. On site, we require a suitably large work area to assemble the reef, and then will typically perform installations using small boats and EcoReefs and contract divers using underwater power tools. Large barges and heavy lift equipment are not needed (unless required to construct specific rockwork features per the design).
Can I buy only materials?
EcoReefs projects include core services (site survey, reef design, installation, monitoring) as part of the consultative engagement to help assure a successful and high quality outcome.
We do not sell materials absent services.