A method and apparatus incorporating erosion preventing mats or blankets having oyster spat are placed to prevent or reduce erosion. The method and apparatus incorporates seeding with oyster spat and/or oyster larvae onto a blanket having rough surfaces and comprising calcium. After seeding and setting natural growth of the oyster larvae can create a barrier that helps prevent erosion by breaking the kinetic energy of waves.

A method and apparatus incorporating erosion preventing mats or blankets having oyster spat are placed to prevent or reduce erosion. The method and apparatus incorporates seeding with oyster spat and/or oyster larvae onto a blanket having rough surfaces and comprising calcium. After seeding and setting natural growth of the oyster larvae can create a barrier that helps prevent erosion by breaking the kinetic energy of waves.

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 a 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 may 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 a 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 may 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.

A coral ring mount device and method for the propagative culture of sessile benthic marine organisms (for example, stony corals) employing either a ring, washer or threaded nut or similar as a propagule mount upon which the coral is set in order to attach, grow and overgrow within a coral nursery system. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, once the coral is grown onto the ring mount and to its requisite size and condition, the ring mount becomes the washer through which passes a screw to secure the ring and coral to the seafloor.

A device for the proliferation of underwater biodiversity that includes a shield structure having one or more walls configured to define one or more internal compartments at least partially extending along a first direction. One or more of the walls of the shield structure is a metal wall, or a wall made of a biocompatible material, including a plurality of holes. One or more of the internal compartments may include two respective end portions, which are distantly arranged. The device is configured such that at least one of the end portions of the one or more compartments is configured to be at least partially free of the one or more walls of the shield structure, thereby defining at least one opening.

A device for the proliferation of underwater biodiversity that includes a shield structure having one or more walls configured to define one or more internal compartments at least partially extending along a first direction. One or more of the walls of the shield structure is a metal wall, or a wall made of a biocompatible material, including a plurality of holes. One or more of the internal compartments may include two respective end portions, which are distantly arranged. The device is configured such that at least one of the end portions of the one or more compartments is configured to be at least partially free of the one or more walls of the shield structure, thereby defining at least one opening.

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.

A handle for an aquatic aggregation apparatus that upon placement by measured passage with a line connected thereto provides for shelteringly attracting and accumulating aquatic organisms, the handle defined by an elongated member configured with a medial arcuate portion and a pair of distal arcuate seating portions for passage through and engagement with respective longitudinal opposing slots of a supporting member that further receives elongated slats through spaced-apart slots therein to define arms for the attracting and accumulating of aquatic organisms to and about the aggregation apparatus for facilitating fishing habitats, allowing the habitat apparatus to be hung from a dock or retrieved with a boat hook for ease in removal and relocation.