Redbird Reef facts for kids
The Redbird Reef is a special underwater area in the Atlantic Ocean. It's located off the coast of Slaughter Beach, Delaware. This amazing reef is about 16 miles (26 km) east of the Indian River Inlet.
This reef is not natural; it's an artificial reef. This means people created it! It was started in 2001 by the Maryland Reef Initiative. The reef covers a large area, about 1.3 square nautical miles (which is about 4.5 square kilometers) of the ocean floor. It sits about 80 feet (24 meters) below the water's surface.
What is Redbird Reef Made Of?
Redbird Reef is built from many different things that were once used for other purposes. It's like a giant underwater recycling project!
- Subway Cars: The biggest part of the reef is made from 714 old New York City Subway cars. These cars were called "Redbird" trains because of their bright red color. They were carefully cleaned and prepared before being sunk.
- Military Vehicles: There are also 86 retired tanks and armored personnel carriers (APCs). These are strong, heavy vehicles that help create a stable base for the reef.
- Boats and Barges: Eight old tugboats and barges were also added. These larger structures provide big spaces for marine life to hide and live.
- Truck Tires: About 3,000 tons of truck tires, filled with concrete to make them sink, complete the reef. These tires add more places for small creatures to attach to.
All these items create a complex underwater habitat. They give marine animals places to live, hide, and find food.
Why Was Redbird Reef Created?
Artificial reefs like Redbird Reef are built for several important reasons. They help the ocean environment and people too!
- Boosting Marine Life: One main goal is to increase the amount of marine life. The hard surfaces of the subway cars, tanks, and other items provide new places for blue mussels, sponges, barnacles, and coral to attach and grow. These small creatures then become food for larger fish.
- Creating Habitats: The different shapes and sizes of the sunken items create many hiding spots and homes for fish. This helps fish like black sea bass and flounder to thrive.
- Supporting Fishing: The reef attracts many fish, making it a great spot for fishing. It helps support the local fishing industry and provides fun for people who enjoy fishing.
Life at the Reef
Redbird Reef has become a very successful home for many ocean creatures.
- More Food: In just seven years, the amount of marine food at the reef increased by 400 times! This shows how quickly a new habitat can help life grow.
- Popular Fishing Spot: The reef is the most popular fishing spot off Delaware's coast. More than 10,000 fishing groups visit it every year.
- Diverse Species: Many different kinds of marine animals live here. You can find black sea bass, flounder, blue mussels, sponges, barnacles, and coral. Larger fish like tuna and mackerel also come to the reef to hunt for food.
The success of Redbird Reef has even inspired other states. They are now interested in getting their own old subway cars to create similar reefs in their waters.
