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Q: How does an artificial reef (Multi-Purpose reef) work in terms of surfing?

A: A Multi-purpose reef is designed as a means for coastal protection, beach erosion and to enhance marine habitat and create recreational activities, such as surfing as you mention above, as well as other activities like fishing and diving.

If building a reef for surfing we would look closely at the existing tides, wind and ground swell direction. Once we have the data we need, we design the slope of the multi-purpose reef to create optimal waves. Multi-purpose reefs do not make waves - they help waves break. The best reefs in the world do not break unless there is solid ground swell along with good wind and tides. 

Q: Why does ASR use the term multi-purpose reef instead of artificial reef? 

A: The term multi-purpose reef is used instead of artificial reef because our reefs serve multiple purposes. The 3 main purposes they serve are:

        1. Coastal protection - The multi-purpose reef stops wave energy from hitting the beach.  This reduction in wave energy leaves existing sand on the beach thus sustaining the existing beach or building back the beach that has eroded.

BOTTOM LINE: Saves beaches/helps people, communities and stops erosion.

        2. Enhanced marine habitat - Once the reef is in place the Geo-Textile material helps foster marine growth with respect to the marine species that are indigenous to the specific area the reef is located.

BOTTOM LINE: Creates habitat for indigenous marine species.

        3. Recreation - Because the reef is redirecting wave energy to hit on the reef instead of the shore, there's more activity out at sea.

BOTTOM LINE: Creates an amenity for diving, fishing and surfing!

Q: How does an artificial reef help the ocean, are there any studies to support this?

A: Reports have found that 25% of the world's coral reefs are gone or are severely damaged and that another third are degraded and threatened - proving that we need a solution. That's where Multi-purpose reefs come in. Since they're placed off the shore and help to redirect the wave energy, they're helping to protect the coastline and the beaches - keeping sand where it should be.

There is solid data that shows traditional reefs protect the beaches and the land behind them.  Instead of using progressive and new technologies, traditional coastal protection has been practiced using the same old structures, which are mainly rock revetments, groins and jetties.   

Mimicking nature, we have created Multi-Purpose Reefs that provide similar beach protection benefits of natural reefs, acting as a protective barrier to the coastline to help decrease sand erosion on our beaches. Multi-purpose reefs have the following benefits over the traditional methods:

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  1. Multi-purpose reefs are environmentally-friendly future of coastal protection and green solutions
  2. Multi-purpose reefs help to keep our beaches intact, while solutions such as concrete walls aren't actually beach protection at all, they are land protection and have been shown to actually increase the rate of sand erosion on beaches rather than reduce it.
  3. Multi-purpose reefs are submerged offshore structures, ensuring the natural beauty while enhancing the existing condition of the beaches.

Multi-purpose reefs also create new marine habitats. 200 species have been found living on or around the reef built in Narrowneck Australia and the Bournemouth reef has already become home to organisms including cuttlefish and spidercrabs. Additionally, it's worth noting that traditional coastal protection structures carry a carbon footprint 3 to 6 times greater than a Multi-Purpose reef.  These alone are reasons to look at alternatives.  We passionately believe that multi-purpose reefs are the sustainable future of coastal protection.  
 

Q: There have been many numbers thrown around, but, bottom line what can the town of Bournemouth expect long-term financially?

A: The reef as the centerpiece of the Boscombe Spa Redevelopment has already been a great investment for the city, as shown by the revitalized seafront and the corresponding socio-economic benefits to the community.  

An impartial third party research firm conducted a study and found that the marketing and PR value of the Reef in Boscombe, even before its completion, was estimated to be greater than $10M pounds which is over 3 times the total cost of the reef.  

The thriving restaurants - some of which are named after the reef like "Urban Reef" and "Reef Encounter" - and increased retail activity and hotel accommodations (even during a recessionary period) also are positive indicators of economic stimulus. 

The other great aspect is the amount of surf lessons that have been preformed since the reef has been introduced.  While I was in Boscombe I witnessed a group of women in their sixties taking surf lessons!   This is only a slice of the socio economic benefit that the reef has already brought to the area and we have no doubt that it will continue to bring economic prosperity to the region for decades to come.   

Q: What is the history of ASR and how did you get hired to do the Bournemouth Artificial Reef?

A: The Bournemouth multi-purpose reef project was a concept endorsed by the Bournemouth Borough Council as well as numerous notable, local surfers.

The reef marked the first time that ASR actually constructed one of our designs. ASR did the design only for the Narroneck, Mount Maunganui and Openake reefs. Realizing the importance of being involved from conception to completion, ASR decided to put together an in house construction arm to specialize it the construction of the Multi-purpose reefs we were designing.

It was a necessary evolution for the company and our team is now mobilized in Kovalame, India where they are building India's first multi-purpose reef for coastal protection.