Review of Structure Types and New Development Prospects of Artificial Reefs in China

Abstract

Artificial reefs are beneficial to restore fishery resources and increase fishery production. Meanwhile, they play a significant role in improving ocean ecology and accelerating the evolution of fishery industries. Since they are generally affected by currents, waves, and other hydrological factors, the flow field around artificial reefs and their stabilities have become a research hotspot in recent years. Research on artificial reefs is a systematic process consisting of four aspects: Firstly, the significance, the definition, the mechanism, and the present research progress were introduced for artificial reefs in detail. Secondly, the development trend of the sit-bottom artificial reef and that of the floating artificial reef were summarized, respectively. Thirdly, it was found that the combination of traditional artificial reefs and emerging ocean engineering has a great development potential in practical engineering. Finally, the existing problems related to the hydrodynamic characteristics of the artificial reefs in China were summarized, and the prospects of artificial reefs were proposed. The purpose of this study is to provide a scientific reference for the ecological and sustainable development of the large-scale construction of artificial reefs in the ocean.

RETRACTED: Exploring Spatio-Temporal Heterogeneity and Inter-Domain Ecological Networks of biological community in a Marine Ranching Habitat: Implications for fishery resources conservation

“…Habitat diversity is another crucial aspect that in uences the community structure of marine organisms. Previous studies have shown that the complex structural design of ARs provides an ideal shelter for juvenile or small sh with limited swimming ability [34] . The profuse attached organisms on the ARs surface demonstrated a clear trapping impact on certain benthic sh or crustaceans [35] .…”

Assessing the Attractive Effects of Floating Artificial Reefs and Combination Reefs on Six Local Marine Species

“…Due to their limited height, the impact on the waters above the ARs may be relatively insufficient, and ARs were unable to fully utilize the entire water space. In order to improve comprehensive and three-dimensional development, it may be a considerable practice to combine bottom ARs in conjunction with floating ARs and jointly release them; it has been established that the combination of floating and bottom reefs complimented one another and impacted comprehensive usage [21].…”

“…Floating ARs are a feasible method for building artificial structures floating in the water [20]. They can potentially use marine space and display excellent antiwave as well as current performance, less constraint on seabed geology, and a feasible arrangement mode of multireef groups [21]; however, the research on the use of floating ARs to restore the ecological environment was still in its initial stage. Furthermore, there are gaps in evaluating the materials, configurations, and attraction effectiveness of floating ARs, which requires proper research.…”

A Report on the Artificial Reef Use in Grenada, West Indies

“…Artificial reefs are relatively easy to make, but efficacious placement depends on structure design, depth, distance from the shore, environmental and surrounding natural reef conditions, as well as wave and current conditions [28,[31][32][33]. Various materials have been used in the creation of artificial reefs, including concrete, wood, automobiles, or retired oil and gas platforms, each with benefits and drawbacks [34].…”