The waters of Pompano Beach are on the way to better health, thanks to a local coral reef renourishment plan. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Army Corps of Engineers are spearheading a project to construct artificial coral reefs on Pompano Beach’s ocean floor to encourage habitat development suitable for natural corals, sea turtles and other fish and wildlife.
Over 4,000 concrete blocks and limestone rocks, and 600 artificial reef units will be placed on the ocean floor from Lauderdale-By-The-Sea to Pompano Beach to help better our marine environment. The total project will cover over 6.8 acres of beach floor.
Coral reefs are an important part of Pompano Beach’s ocean ecosystem. Climate change, pollution, and human indifference have caused the depletion of many of the world’s natural reefs.
According to data by the Office for Coastal Management, over 50% of the world’s coral reefs have been destroyed. Coral reefs provide a natural habitat for millions of fish and marine life necessary for food, medicine, and human wellbeing.
For more information on beach construction/re-nourishment projects, visit www.broward.org/BeachRenourishment
