REEF BALL
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"We need to respect the oceans and take care of them
as if our lives depended on it.
Because they do."
~ Sylvia Earle
REEF BALL
aquatic preservation education designed reef & related ecosystems
Take a Three Minute Tour of What We Do.
who we are
The Reef Ball Foundation is an international non-profit foundation whose mission is to rehabilitate and protect our world's ocean ecosystems through the development and use of ecologically sound-designed reefs and related systems. We emphasize on-going research, public education, community involvement, and reefs that promote and support natural species diversity and population density.
designed reefs
World ocean systems are at a tipping point and one stark indicator is a worldwide decline of reefs. Sadly, 20% of the world's coral reefs have effectively been destroyed and it's estimated that 24% of the remaining are under imminent risk. A further 26% are under longer-term threat of collapse.
Reefs matter for us and for the environment in countless ways and designed reefs are useful tools for restoring our reefs and related systems to a natural and productive balance.
why reef balls
Reef Balls are the world's leading designed artificial reef modules because they are simply the most effective way to create sustainable aquatic habitat and achieve it in a safe, long term, environmentally compatible way.
Reef Ball modules are designed to mimic natural reefs. These basic modules and related adaptations using Reef Ball technology are the backbone of our restoration and protection efforts and are by far the most-used and recognized designed reef structure in the world. Reef Balls are ideally suited for a wide-range of aquatic habitats even when used in engineering applications.
Find out how reef Balls are used, about their success and what you can do with Reef Ball and in your everyday life to help.
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FEATURED PROJECT UPDATES
see archived projects here
UPDATE: Palmetto Bay Reef Ball Project
City of Palmetto Bay, FL, USA
April, 2025
The city of Palmetto took a giant leap in aquatic bio-research to not only restore the health of Palmetto Bay but as a benchmark for undiscovered knowledge for other communities and cities. Since the installation of this project in early 2024 they have accumulated a vast amount of technical data in this research.
View this wonderful video from the Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency revealing how the agency’s wide variety of testing factors, methods and monitoring of the Reef Ball project has produced significant data demonstrating the efficacy of Reef Balls in enhancing the environment and significant water quality improvement.
Tampa Bay Watch Deploys 1000s of Reef Balls
St. Petersburg, FL
Mar 23, 2025
Tampa Bay Watch has deployed around 17,000 Reef Balls in their effort to preserve and improve the bay environment. "We all love this area, we all love the recreational side of it (and) the environmental side of it, and we're trying to preserve that as much as possible," says Tampa Bay Watch’s Myles Schanck. TBW also has a project called 'Shells with Shorelines' working with restaurants in the local area to recycle their oyster shells for use in the environmentally friendly concrete mix of the Reef Balls.
Tampa Bay Watch has a Display and Discovery Center at the St. Pete Pier, where visitors can learn about its regular activities.
UPDATE: Jimmy Buffett Memorial Reef Partnership
Key West, FL, USA
April, 2025
The Parrot Head Reef - a collaboration between Parrot Heads in Paradise (PHiP), and Eternal Reefs, along with sister organizations the Reef Ball Foundation and Reef Innovations - will be dedicated on September 1, 2025, two years after the passing of Jimmy Buffett, a passionate ocean conservation advocate, in federal waters outside the sanctuary boundary off Key West, Fla.
The reef will be comprised of two sizes of Reef Balls, each featuring a bronze plaque designed by the memorial’s purchaser. The marine area will become a dedicated space for underwater memorials.
Partnership with Franklin's Promise Coalition /Oyster Corps
Eastpoint, FL, USA
March 28, 2025
OysterCorps - an organization for adventurous young adults, 18-24, with a passion for caring for the environment - completed Reef Ball training thanks to the Reef Ball Foundation, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and NOAA Fisheries Service and are looking forward to creating habitat as part of their mission towards improved coastal restoration and resilience! "Oyster restoration Rocks!"
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