Reef Balls can be used for a range of fishery applications including the establishment of productive reef in barren or degraded areas, or as a deterrent to trawling in order to protect specific areas.  Reefs can also be designed to attract target species.

The NSW Dept of Primary Industries has validated the effectiveness of Reef Balls in the creation of fishing havens and is expanding the program to include Reef Balls in 6 estuarine areas.

Reef Balls have been effectively used in marine, estuarine and freshwater fishery applications including dams and lakes.

Reef Balls have been effectively used to mitigate the impact of natural disasters such as tsunamis, storms and coral bleaching, as well as intentional acts such as dynamite fishing, dredging, beach renourishment, ship groundings, anchor damage etc.

Loss of habitat - coastal developments or oil industry installations may impact upon marine habitat or reduce access to fishing or diving areas. Reef Balls can be used to create a compensatory reef in a suitable location.

Dredging - Reef Balls have been extensively used to offset the loss of hard substrate due to dredging, coral mining or beach renourishment projects.

Anchor damage - Reef Balls can be incorporated into permanent moorings used to reduce anchor damange on reefs.

Tourism - Reef Balls can be used to create additional attractions to spread the snorkellers/divers and reduce the pressure on natural resources.

Reef Balls can give damaged or imperiled corals a fighting chance, and provide valuable structure and refuge for fish and other marine life while the corals grow back.

Stabilisation of loose coral rubble - dredging, coral mining, ship groundings, dynamite fishing, anchors or storms can create coral rubble that is unstable and moves with strong waves. Coral larvae settling on the loose rubble is killed when the rubble rolls around, preventing regrowth. This rubble can also wash up onto beaches and damage mangroves, eg. Mud Island, Moreton Bay Marine Park. Reef Balls can be used to stabilise this rubble and provide habitat as well a firm base for new coral growth.  

Coral propagation - we have worked with scientists and aquarium experts over the last ten years to develop leading coral propagation techniques to safely transplant corals onto Reef Balls and ensure maximum survival rates.  A team of 5 can transplant up to 500 fragments in one day. Over 15 tonnes of coral was rescued and transplanted in one project alone. This technique can be used to offset impacts, save imperiled corals or restore damaged reefs.

Promising trials are underway using a new design of Reef Ball unit to temporarily protect Red Mangrove seedlings in areas where waves and/or flotsam tends to limit their establishment. Trials are underway in the Cayman Islands and Antigua and we welcome contact from people interested in trialing the technique in Australia. 

Submerged breakwaters - Reef Balls can provide an excellent alternative, or addition to rock in the construction of submerged breakwaters. 

The internal voids provided by Reef Balls compared to solid rock/sand bags deliver numerous benefits including:

• Greater marine life - which can provide a recreational asset, eg snorkelling or fishing attraction (ideal for resorts), and/or an environmental offset for impacts that may have occurred due to storms or development, dredging etc
• 3-5 times less mass - coastal Reef Ball breakwaters can be built in 1-2m depth whereas rock breakwaters often have to be built in deeper water, therefore requiring more rock to achieve the required height and width, making submerged breakwaters traditionally an expensive option
• Cheaper deployment - Reef Balls do not require large barges or lifting equipment (that may not be available or is expensive) and can even be floated out from the beach and deployed
• Permeability - Reef Ball breakwaters allow water to pass through which prevents a ponding effect behind the breakwater and accelerated currents around the ends that cause scouring and washing out of sand.
• Better water quality - permeability of the breakwater also helps maintain water quality in the lee of the breakwater which can be important if corals or seagrasses are present 

The stability of the units has been studied and proven in wave tank tests by the US Army Corp of Engineers and Florida Tech. Breakwaters have been constructed in Mexico, Florida, Antigua, Domincun Republic, Cayman Islands, Kuwait, and Sabah, and several have received direct hits from hurricanes and not moved.

Oyster Bars - Reef Ball units weighing up to 5 tonnes have been created specifically for nearshore breakwaters, however the smaller units such as Oyster Balls (15kg) make excellent mini breakwaters for shorelines in quiet waters such as estuaries where boat wash may be eroding the banks. The Oyster Balls quickly become colonised by oysters or mussels which then provide habitat, food, and natural filtering of particles from the water.

Enhancement of surfing reefs - reefs created using sand filled geotextile containers are prone to anchor damage and attract fishers.  Reef Balls strategically placed can provide added diversity of habitat and fish and help move fishers away from the containers.

Note: Structures that influence waves/currents must be designed by experienced professionals and we use a highly experienced international team for such projects.