Artificial reefs are more than merely fish attractors. When a new hard structure is introduced into the marine environment, it does not take long for a micro ecosystem to begin developing. This occurs because artificial reefs provide a place for algae and invertebrates, such as coral, to accumulate and capture nutrients from surrounding waters and begin the process of assimilating biomass through the food chain. In a relatively short amount of time, smaller fish congregate to feed on the alga and invertebrates, and these smaller creatures soon attract larger predators, many of which are important sportfish.
