• DISCOVERY Vessel Surface Interval

ORAI Artificial Reef Monitoring and Benthic Survey

  • September 20, 2025
  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida
ORAI Artificial Reef Monitoring and Benthic Survey cover

Project Overview

Artificial reefs are increasingly deployed as tools to enhance marine biodiversity, restore degraded habitats, and relieve pressure on natural reef systems. To understand their ecological value and effectiveness, regular monitoring is essential, particularly in the early stages after deployment when colonization begins. This research initiative focuses on evaluating the biological and structural development of newly installed artificial reef modules off the coast of Hollywood, Florida. By comparing these artificial sites to nearby natural reefs, researchers aim to assess how well these structures replicate natural habitat functions and support marine life. This ongoing monitoring contributes to regional reef restoration goals and provides data to inform best practices for future artificial reef design and implementation.

Application

This study aims to assess the early-stage biological and structural development of newly deployed artificial reefs and compare them with natural reef systems to evaluate ecological performance. The fish survey data will help track species richness, abundance, and behavior over time, while SfM imagery and benthic surveys provide insight into habitat structure and benthic community development. The findings will inform future artificial reef deployment strategies and contribute to broader regional goals in reef restoration and habitat enhancement in South Florida waters.

Expedition Summary

On September 20, 2025, SeaKeepers supported a team of researchers from Ocean Rescue Alliance International in conducting a monitoring survey of two artificial reef sites and one nearby natural reef site aboard DISCOVERY Vessel Surface Interval. The artificial modules were deployed back in May, 2025. During the outing, researchers completed fish community assessments at two of the artificial sites using stationary point surveys, where two divers recorded fish species, counts, and size estimates for comparative analysis. A third diver conducted Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry imaging across the modules to document reef structure, while a fourth diver supported video documentation. The team also surveyed one nearby natural reef, carrying out a combination of fish surveys, benthic quadrat photography, rugosity measurements, and tallies of octocorals and sponges along 10-meter transects.

Location

ORAI Hollywood Beach Artificial Reef Sites 3 & 4

Duration of Project

ORAI initiated the Guardians of the Reef project in late 2022. These sites were installed May 22-24, 2025 and since then monitoring operations have been ongoing.

Leadership

Research Team

  • Michelle Baptist
  • Sarah Walls, PhD Candidate
  • Rachel Holic
  • Mary Williams, PhD Candidate
  • Brandon Sosa, PhD Candidate
  • Captain Aubri Keith

Partner Sites

Ocean Rescue Alliance International logoOcean Rescue Alliance International

Photo Gallery

ORAI Artificial Reef Monitoring and Benthic Survey gallery 1