3D-printed artificial reefs placed in Mobile Bay to restore habitats

Today, the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, one of 28 National Estuary Programs, and project partners deployed a new series of 3D-printed artificial reef structures in Mobile Bay as part of an innovative habitat restoration initiative.

This innovative, nature-based approach to coastal restoration created reef structures using beneficial dredged sediment, mud from the Blakeley River Channel. These reef structures are thoughtfully designed to give oysters and other marine life a place to settle.

Read on to learn more about what this experiment features!

Check out the results of the artificial reef pilot test

This experiment has been tested before with a mud-only reef that was put in the water for 6 months. Once taken out, the reef was covered in algae, barnacles, worms and crabs.

Expanding on the success of their initial pilot project, the deployment highlights how Alabama’s coastal ecosystems can be strengthened through practical solutions created from science, technology and regional partnerships.

At noon on Thursday, July 9th, we got to watch the reefs go in the water and hear firsthand how they were made. The reef deployment, which took place at Dauphin Island, has been in progress for months with lots of intricate tasks.

How are the reefs made?

Henry Perkins, private sector program lead, shared with me the process of making the artificial reefs. Starting with getting the mud from Blakeley River Channel, the mud is 3D-printed in Vicksburg, Mississippi, with the help of the Army Corps.

The non-profit featured 2 different types of reefs: one that was 100% mud (darker orange color, pictured above), and one that was 90% mud and 10% oysters (beige color with oyster bits, pictured above).

We are excited to see the results of this experiment!

Check out more from the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program:

• Visit: 118 N Royal St #601, Mobile, AL 36602
• Call: (251) 431-6409
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