Moray eel in an artificial reef

PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) reports the latest progress on the new artificial reef that is planned for Key West, Florida.

Due to be sunk in June 2009, the Gen, Hoyt S. Vandenberg, an ex US Air Force missile tracking ship, is en route to Key West.  Once arrived it will be thoroughly cleaned and stripped of all pollutants before being scuttled in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary specifically for sport divers.

Whilst deliberately sinking ships in conservation areas doesn’t intuitively seem like an appropriate thing to do, providing the structure is clean then it provides an excellent starting point for a natural reef to grow and provides shelter for many marine organisms.

Not only that, but can bring additional resources to the area as divers visit specifically to dive the wreck and reef.