Jason de Caires Taylor Underwater

lost correspondant

While the act of intentionally dumping stuff in the ocean to become artificial reefs may be controversial, it’s nice to look at the work of Jason de Caires Taylor, author of the purported “first underwater sculpture park” near Granada. His series of statues, mostly of human figures, were designed to be submerged and become a base for artificial reefs. Over time the pieces become covered in growth and color, the work constantly coevolving with its environment. But are they really reef-appropriate?

In theory, any hard surface can serve as an artificial reef. It needs to be made of something that won’t kill marine life, obviously, and weighty enough to stay in place– not ripping up existing reef, or washing up on shore like this experiement with tires. The shape and size also have an effect on what kind of marine life are attracted to the structure. Microscopic organisms constantly filter down to the cold bottom of an ocean and attach themselves to whatever rock cropping or tough hunk of something they can find. Artificial reefs serve as supplements to steadily eroded and destroyed natural reefs, which are threatened by anything from overfishing to sewage to coastal development.

In Truk Lagoon, a pool sheltered by a reef north of New Guinea, the WWII wrecks of some several hundred planes and fifty plus ships which have sunk to the bottom create a stunning and growing display. For more eco-friendly man-made underwater havens, check out Pam Ponce’s moon-shaped Ebb and Flow or Betty Beaumont’s Ocean Landmark, 500 tons of coal fly-ash blocks sunk 40 miles off the New York Harbor.

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