Today we dove the shipwreck known as the Kittiwake which is a retired submarine rescue vessel from the U.S. Navy sunk 8 years ago to make an artificial reef. Artificial reefs are manmade objects sunk underwater intentionally or accidentally which creates new habitat for organisms including corals. Reasons for making an artificial reef are to take pressure off the natural reefs for fishing and diving and also to provide new reefs for when the natural reefs begin to struggle. For an artificial reef to become a full reef with large hard corals and an array of life however it must stay underwater for several decades. However the Kittiwake only being down 8 years was showing already signs of a growing reef. One specific species I saw a lot of were tube sponges which are identified by their tube like appearance and bright yellow or green color. Even some hard corals such as small brain corals even began to grow which is amazing considering hard corals are usually the last to appear on the artificial reef. Other than corals, big fish also occupied the wreck depending on it hunting grounds like any other reef showing how the reef can provide new habitat for fish that predators depend on. A specific big predatory fish I saw was a black grouper I identified by its black tipped pectoral fins and tail and dark grey coloration. The presence of predatory fish like this show that the Kittiwake is doing its purpose well which is making a new reef because healthy reefs have big predators. So in my opinion the Kittiwake is a great addition to the Cayman Islands coral reefs for many reasons. First you have to pay to be able to dive it so that money raised can go right back into marine conservation of the Cayman Islands. Secondly I like it because it takes pressure off the natural reefs when people dive this instead of the natural reefs resulting in less damage caused by careless divers and snorkelers. Lastly I like it because I think it is a great way to reuse old navy vessels that sit decommissioned with no more purpose so reusing these old human made objects is a way to bring a new mission to old planes, train cars, shipping containers, and boats.
