ARTIFICIAL REEF DEBATE - HABITAT ENHANCEMENT OR WASTE-DISPOSAL

Modern artificial reef projects are taking novel approaches to fishery habitat construction. Development of these reefs may involve the use of obsolete oil platforms, concrete blocks mixed with municipal incine rator ash, or even automobile tires. Because modern reef designs make use of materials heavily regulated by ocean dumping agreements and sta tutes, concern arises as to the effects of these reefs on the marine e nvironment. The United States and the international community have pro mulgated regulatory measures designed to prevent the abuse of artifici al reef placement. The regulations are intended to ensure that fishery habitat enhancement will not be used as a pretext for disguised ocean dumping. The international agreements and accepted principles of inte rnational law, however, provide only discretionary protection. Guidanc e over artificial reefs in U.S. waters consists of international stand ards and domestic statutes in conjunction with often inconsistent agen cy actions, thereby creating an increased opportunity for disguised oc ean dumping.