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Reef Structures Installed in San Diego Bay to Protect and Increase Species Diversity

Friday, 05 December 2008
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

Work will begin next week on a project to install 350 artificial reef structures off the shoreline of Bayside Park in Chula Vista.  The reef structures will provide additional habitat for fish and other sea life in the bay, resulting in increased populations of many marine species.

Divers from the environmental consulting firm Merkel and Associates, Inc., will install the structures in bundles on the seafloor.  The structures resemble large versions of jacks, the children's game that uses six-pointed metal pieces.  Called "a-jacks," the structures are made from concrete and are two feet wide and weigh 78 pounds each. 

The a-jacks are placed in bundles of between eight and 11 units, creating approximately 35 artificial reefs that stand three feet tall and have a four foot diameter.  It is expected that numerous species of fish will begin to use the structures within three to six months.  Commonly observed species on similar structures in the area include kelp bass, spotted sand bass, barred sand bass, opaleye, yellowfin croaker and shiner surfperch. 

The reef structures project was approved by the Board of Port Commissioners in October.  It was one of 10 new environmental projects funded with the Port's Environmental Fund.  The Board approved $30,000 in funding for it.  In December 2006, the Board approved a similar project, which included the installation of 400 structures near the fishing pier at Embarcadero Marina Park South in San Diego and near the Coronado Marriott Hotel.  Several species of fish, as well as spiny lobsters and round stingrays, have been taking advantage of the structures. 

During its 45-year history, the Port of San Diego has taken the lead in a variety of initiatives to enhance the environmental quality of San Diego Bay and its surrounding tidelands.  These include wildlife and natural resource management, storm water runoff programs, integrated pest management, environmental education programs and the recently launched Clean Air and Green Port Programs.