The City of Sebastian, spearheaded by Vice Mayor Jim Hill, installed two reefs Sunday near Crab E Bills’ to further promote the Indian River Lagoon’s health.
“This project is designed to test the feasibility and effectiveness of installing these reefs under city docks. We are also looking for potential grant funding for our local businesses and residents who have docks to assist them in installing them on their docks. This is part of the ‘all in’ policy the city has with improving the health of the Indian River Lagoon,” Hill told Sebastian Daily.
The reefs were installed by Ocean Habitats, Inc. based in Micanopy, Florida. The reefs are tied to the dock pilings and settled in the water.
“The Reefs are made of polypropylene, which is the same material dock pilings are wrapped with,” David Wolff, Ocean Habitats Inc. President/Executive Director, told Sebastian Daily.
Wolff also said it takes six to nine months for filter-feeding animals to attach to the unit and grow. The more water movement, the faster they develop.
The only maintenance is the lines that attach them to the dock. They can be damaged in a storm by debris.
