Divers dismantle artificial tire reef

[LCGoldman]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (AP) -- Divers began removing up to 2 million old tires from the ocean floor Monday after a plan in the 1970s to create the world's largest artificial tire reef became an ecological disaster.

The well-intentioned idea was to create new marine habitat and alternate dive sites. The plan also served to dispose of tires that were clogging landfills.

But little sea life formed on the tires dumped about a mile offshore in 1972. Some of the bundles bound together with nylon and steel have broken loose and are scouring the ocean floor and washing up on beaches. Others are wedging up against the nearby natural reef, blocking coral growth and devastating marine life.

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[fishome25]

interesting, the artific reefs made of tires in the philippines were well encrusted with coral and teaming with life.

 

[onegreenray]

isn't there one of those reefs not to far off shore here to. i have been told it is a great place for black fishing.

 

[6stringpenguin]

Yes, Ray. I go fishing there, but that was built in the 70's. It's mostly covered by sand now. I busted my hump pulling up the anchor last year and there they were; 3 tires strapped together, heavy as heck, but not exactly encrusted with life, just rubber and steel.