Artificial Reefs

Reefs provide habitat for a wide variety of marine life. In areas such as the Florida Keys, reefs are closely connected to the economy, attracting tourists that use local businesses and supporting fisheries. Sometimes those reefs are natural (coral) reefs and sometimes they are human-made structures placed on the seafloor.

There are a limited number of artificial reefs within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.  In general, these structures were established following review and permitting, to ensure that their development would not be detrimental to the marine resources of the Florida Keys.