Artificial Reefs and the Revival of California Fish Populations
Author:
Kevin BotsfordMentor:
Valerie Anderson, Head of Science , Marymount CollegeKevin Botsford Artificial Reefs and the Revival of California Fish Populations Valerie Anderson Over-fishing off the coast California has become a major problem and is effecting the delicate eco-systems. On January 1, 2012 fishing regulations were implemented up and down the coast of Central and Southern California. Approximately 1/3 of the coast of Southern California has been closed to fishing. On the surface this sounds like a step forward towards conservation and rebuilding, but the reality is that it focuses all of the fishing into small, specific areas. This can be devastating to local species that exist in these areas. Ocean eco-systems are delicate and the loss of one population leads to the decline of many others. Artificial reefs have been the topic of many discussions focused on easing the pressures of over fishing, but can they actually be successful in increasing fish populations? In my capstone I plan on putting together data that supports the positive impacts of artificial reefs.