The Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative includes over 60 private, state, and federal partners, and acts as a funding mechanism (using private and corporate donations) for reef development in Maryland. It is a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving, restoring, and creating fish habitat in tidewater Maryland. Funding for the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative comes from the Coastal Conservation Association, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the coalition of donors and partners.
The "Artificial Reef Management Plan for Maryland" (Loftus and Stone, 2007) is the primary guidance document for the Maryland Artificial Reef Program and the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative. The below information is taken from that document.
A Natural Reef is defined as normal rises, ridges, rock, or other naturally occurring hard substrate in aquatic environments that are conducive to sustaining populations of reef associated fauna and flora. In the Chesapeake Bay, most natural reefs were created by the accumulated growth of oysters over hundreds of years. Artificial Reefs are man-made or natural objects placed in selected areas of aquatic environments to provide or improve rough bottom habitat and thereby enhance populations of reef-associated species and the opportunity to harvest some of these species.
Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative: Purpose
- Enhance habitat for fish and benthic organisms associated with reefs;
- Increase reef biological carrying capacity;
- Enhance biological diversity;
- Increase fish populations, and;
- Provide sustainable fishing opportunities.
Reef Program Goal/Objectives
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- Enhance reef habitat at the existing permitted artificial reef sites where appropriate;
- Create new reefs based on siting criteria and need expressed by advisory organizations, the fishing public, and other constituents;
- Improve fishing opportunities;
- Work cooperatively with the Maryland DNR Shellfish Program to address common goals for establishing healthy reef communities that sustain fishing;
- Determine the types of natural and fabricated materials (including materials of opportunity) appropriate for specific site locations and reef objectives;
- Improve intergovernmental coordination and public/private sector cooperation and support;
- Make public participation and public education an integral part of the artificial reef program;
- Site artificial reefs to promote the long-term social, economic, and quality of life values that will benefit the citizens of Maryland and visitors;
- Encourage research and monitoring on the artificial reefs and the maintenance of longterm artificial reef data bases, including location through Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping;
- Periodically evaluate the artificial reefs based on their biological, social and economic impact and communicate findings to constituents; and
- Identify, procure and maximize new and existing sources of funding for the artificial reef program.
Reef Types:
Each artificial reef in Maryland tidal waters is classified with a specific purpose based on the intended functions.
Fishing Reefs
The primary focus of this plan is to develop, maintain, monitor, evaluate, and administer a successful, diverse system of fishing reefs in the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean, and coastal bays that provide effective artificial reef habitat for fish and invertebrates, and provide sustainable fishing opportunities. Fishing activity associated with artificial reefs can provide substantial economic benefit to the state or region where the reef is located.
Nursery Reefs
Nursery reefs need not be separate reefs although that is an option. Complexity is generally considered the trait that is necessary for increasing survival of juvenile fishes.
Research Reefs
Although research and monitoring is recommended for all artificial reefs, there may be a need for specific artificial reefs that are designed for research rather than fishing. Research reefs are typically smaller than other types of reefs and allow for controlled experiments without uncontrolled fishing pressure.
Interstate Reefs
Joint artificial reef sites with Virginia and Delaware could be used where costs would be shared and anglers from either state could access the reef site.
Special Management Zone Reefs
The State could regulate the harvest, gear types, and other aspects of fisheries on artificial reefs in estuarine waters and the territorial sea if deemed necessary and beneficial to achieving the objectives of the reef. Outside of state waters, the State would need to work with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and/or the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council for such regulations.