Artificial reefs for marine habitat enhancement in Southeast Asia

These structures -- old tires and cars, barges, bamboo, concrete blocks, and fiberglass are among the materials that have been used -- are normally placed in marine areas with low productivity or where the habitat has been degraded. Intended as a primer, this report highlights the potential role of artificial reefs as a means for fisheries management and habitat enhancement in Southeast Asia. It provides many practical examples of how artificial reefs have been used effectively and of their limitations. Specific topics include: (1) history of artificial reef structures; (2) ecology of natural and artificial reefs (fish yields, type of space and habitat created, fish attraction vs. actual production); (3) site selection, structures and design (fish aggregating devices, artificial reefs on the bottom, large structures, shoreline structures); (4) socioeconomic valuation; (5) management systems (community control, planning considerations).