Aquatic Structures are disclosed that include a nonwoven fiber mat, a connecting material, an anchor and a protective coating. The nonwoven fiber mat may be in the form of a roll having multiple layers and the connecting material may connect those layers. The roll may be submerged in a body of water and the anchor may be connected to a floor of the body of water. Uses of those aquatic structures are also taught.

A system of fattening for molluscs having supporting frames with first coupling members for the uprights that make up components and, carriers of the breeding compartments, and second coupling members on the flotation tubes of a moveable platform. The members and the uprights have aligned openings and that are actuated by removable coupling devices allowing the uprights to be attached or uncoupled. A crossbar, with an arrangement of connectors, keeps the components and provides an easily handled module that can be separated from the supporting frame along with the breeding compartments.

A system of fattening for molluscs having supporting frames with first coupling members for the uprights that make up components and, carriers of the breeding compartments, and second coupling members on the flotation tubes of a moveable platform. The members and the uprights have aligned openings and that are actuated by removable coupling devices allowing the uprights to be attached or uncoupled. A crossbar, with an arrangement of connectors, keeps the components and provides an easily handled module that can be separated from the supporting frame along with the breeding compartments.

Examples of the disclosure provide for an apparatus for actively restoring and promoting marine life. Said apparatus includes a mounting component and a receiver component. Said mounting and receiving components are capable of mechanically joining with each other. Said mounting component provides a base for stable attachment of a living sessile organism. Said receiver component provides stable anchoring for said mounting component. Various embodiments of said apparatus function to facilitate propagation, protective transport and efficient out planting of said organisms in a submerged marine environment.

The present invention is an anchor for an artificial structure for attracting fish within a body of water. The structure is comprised of a base and has a central attachment post, a central column configured to secure to the attachment post, and a protective plate.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to articles used as an artificial reef and/or used as a part of an artificial reef, methods of making the articles, methods of using the articles, and methods of forming artificial reefs. The articles include a top, at least one support member, and optionally, a base. In some embodiments, the water permeability of the top of the article is greater (and in some embodiments, at least 10% greater) than the water permeability of the support, the water permeability of the optional base, or both. In preferred embodiments, the top, support(s), and optional base are formed of concrete.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to articles used as an artificial reef and/or used as a part of an artificial reef, methods of making the articles, methods of using the articles, and methods of forming artificial reefs. The articles include a top, at least one support member, and optionally, a base. In some embodiments, the water permeability of the top of the article is greater (and in some embodiments, at least 10% greater) than the water permeability of the support, the water permeability of the optional base, or both. In preferred embodiments, the top, support(s), and optional base are formed of concrete.

There is described a module for an underwater structure. The module comprises a plurality of walls defining a cavity configured such that at least two walls of said plurality of walls confront one another to provide respective stack support surfaces for supporting said module, said walls are substantially parallel to form complementary stack surfaces, such that one stack surface may rest on a surface and the other complementary stack surface provides a rest surface for another module. Two or more walls of said plurality of walls each comprise an aperture providing a conduit through each two or more walls to said cavity, respective apertures of said two or more walls and said cavity configured to provide a water flow path into, through and from said cavity. The water flow path may be considered unconstrained or at least substantially unconstrained in that water ma flow through the apertures and cavity without deviation or interruption other than by the module or cavity walls. In stacked formation an aperture may be occluded or partially occluded but still the module when on its own may provide water pathways which may be considered unconstrained or substantially unconstrained.

There is described a module for an underwater structure. The module comprises a plurality of walls defining a cavity configured such that at least two walls of said plurality of walls confront one another to provide respective stack support surfaces for supporting said module, said walls are substantially parallel to form complementary stack surfaces, such that one stack surface may rest on a surface and the other complementary stack surface provides a rest surface for another module. Two or more walls of said plurality of walls each comprise an aperture providing a conduit through each two or more walls to said cavity, respective apertures of said two or more walls and said cavity configured to provide a water flow path into, through and from said cavity. The water flow path may be considered unconstrained or at least substantially unconstrained in that water ma flow through the apertures and cavity without deviation or interruption other than by the module or cavity walls. In stacked formation an aperture may be occluded or partially occluded but still the module when on its own may provide water pathways which may be considered unconstrained or substantially unconstrained.

Oceans are warming becoming more acidic, and coral reefs are rapidly declining primarily due to anthropogenic global warming (climate change). Methods must be found to preserve as many of the 3000 species of soft corals as possible before they are gone. Maintaining biodiversity on coral reefs is essential to a balanced healthy reef. Since the chances of a political solution to reducing greenhouses gases are very unlikely, steps must be taken now to collect, preserve, and propagate as many marine reef organisms as possible including soft corals. Propagation methods of stony corals are well known, but soft corals are far more difficult to propagate due to their lack of a stony skeleton. This invention presents three methods for high volume, efficient, and inexpensive propagation of soft corals Alcyonacea (Octocorallia) and Corallimorpharia. Two methods use cubes in an eggcrate matrix, and the third involves propagating soft corals on glass plates.