Report on North Carolina’s Artificial Reef Program and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

North Carolina’s artificial reef program, managed through a collaboration including the NC Division of Marine Fisheries and the Coastal Federation, represents a significant initiative in marine conservation and coastal management. This report analyzes the program’s activities and outcomes, with a specific focus on its alignment with and contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Strategic Alignment with SDG 14: Life Below Water

The primary objective of the artificial reef program is the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, directly supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water). The program creates robust marine habitats in areas of the North Carolina coast that are otherwise barren. Key contributions include:

• Habitat Creation: The program establishes complex, hard-bottom habitats by deploying various materials. These structures, including sunken vessels, reef balls, and concrete pipes, provide critical shelter and breeding grounds for a diverse range of marine species.
• Biodiversity Enhancement: By creating new habitats, the reefs attract and support various fish, invertebrates, and algae, thereby increasing local biodiversity and strengthening the marine ecosystem.
• Oyster Sanctuaries: Specific projects, such as the oyster reef construction near Carolina Beach State Park and Swan Island in Pamlico Sound, are dedicated to restoring oyster populations. Oysters are keystone species that improve water quality through filtration and provide essential habitat for other organisms.

Contributions to Climate Action and Resilient Communities (SDG 13 & SDG 11)

The program provides tangible benefits for climate adaptation and coastal community resilience, directly addressing multiple SDGs.

1. SDG 13 (Climate Action): Strategically placed reefs, particularly oyster reefs built off locations like Carolina Beach State Park, serve a dual purpose by mitigating coastal erosion. These structures dissipate wave energy, providing a natural defense that helps protect shorelines from the intensifying impacts of storm surges and sea-level rise.
2. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By protecting coastal areas, the reefs safeguard local infrastructure and communities. Furthermore, the enhanced fishing and diving opportunities created by the reefs support local tourism and recreation-based economies, contributing to the economic and social well-being of coastal communities.

Advancing Sustainable Practices and Partnerships (SDG 12 & SDG 17)

The implementation of the reef program exemplifies principles of sustainability and collaboration, crucial for long-term success.

• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The program utilizes a circular economy approach by repurposing materials that might otherwise be considered waste. This includes the use of decommissioned vessels like the 180-foot Capt. Greg MicKey, old concrete piping, and rock, transforming potential liabilities into valuable ecological assets.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The success of these initiatives relies on effective collaboration. The partnership between the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and the Coastal Federation is a prime example of the multi-stakeholder cooperation needed to achieve complex sustainable development objectives.

Program Implementation: Materials and Methods

The North Carolina artificial reef system is extensive, with numerous sites located in both coastal and ocean waters, from Oak Island to Emerald Isle. A variety of materials are strategically deployed to maximize habitat value.

• Materials Deployed:
  • Vessels: Sinking prepared ships and barges, such as the vessel sunk near Frying Pan Shoals.
  • Concrete Structures: Purpose-built “reef balls” and repurposed concrete piping are commonly used.
  • Rock and Shell: Barges loaded with rock or other appropriate materials are used to create foundational structures for oyster sanctuaries.

Conclusion

North Carolina’s artificial reef program is a comprehensive environmental initiative that extends beyond simple habitat creation. By strategically creating marine habitats, protecting coastlines, repurposing materials, and fostering partnerships, the program makes significant and measurable contributions to multiple Sustainable Development Goals. It serves as a model for integrated coastal zone management that effectively balances ecological restoration with community and economic benefits, primarily advancing SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the most prominent goal, as the entire article focuses on marine conservation and restoration efforts. The creation of artificial reefs and oyster sanctuaries directly contributes to protecting and restoring marine ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, and creating healthier habitats for marine life, which are central themes of SDG 14.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article connects to this goal through the theme of coastal resilience. One of the stated purposes of building an oyster reef is to “help with erosion.” By mitigating coastal erosion, these projects help protect coastal communities and infrastructure from natural hazards, contributing to making them more resilient and sustainable.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This goal is relevant through its focus on protecting and restoring ecosystems. The article’s mention of building reefs to “help with erosion” directly addresses the protection of coastal ecosystems, which are critical transition zones between marine and terrestrial environments. Halting land degradation at the coastline is a key aspect of this goal.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article explicitly highlights a collaboration to achieve these environmental goals. It states, “The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and Coastal Federation are building an oyster reef…” This partnership between a government agency and a civil society organization exemplifies the collaborative approach needed to achieve the SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.

     The article directly supports this target by describing actions taken to restore marine habitats. The creation of artificial reefs using vessels, concrete pipes, and reef balls, along with the construction of oyster sanctuaries, are all direct restoration actions. The stated goal to “create a stronger habitat for marine life” aligns perfectly with this target.

   • Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information.

     The establishment of designated “artificial reefs and oyster sanctuaries” contributes to the conservation of specific marine areas. The article includes a map showing the locations of these sites, indicating a systematic effort to conserve portions of North Carolina’s coastal and ocean waters.

   • Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology… in order to improve ocean health.

     The article shows the use of “sonar image of an artificial reef,” which demonstrates the application of scientific technology to monitor and manage these restoration projects. This use of technology is crucial for understanding the effectiveness of the reefs and improving ocean health.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and vulnerable.

     The article mentions that a new reef “will not only help with erosion but also create a stronger habitat for marine life.” By helping to mitigate coastal erosion, the project serves as a nature-based solution to protect coastal communities from water-related hazards, thereby contributing to disaster risk reduction.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular… wetlands…

     The project’s aim to “help with erosion” directly relates to the conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems (wetlands). Preventing erosion protects the integrity of the coastline, which is a critical interface between terrestrial and marine environments.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

     The article provides a clear example of this target in action by stating, “The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and Coastal Federation are building an oyster reef…” This collaboration between a state government body and a non-governmental federation is a model of the partnerships required for successful sustainable development projects.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Number and area of artificial reefs and oyster sanctuaries created: The article repeatedly shows and describes the construction of new reefs (e.g., sinking a vessel, deploying reef balls, building with rock). The map provided shows numerous designated sites. This directly measures the action taken towards restoring and conserving marine areas (Targets 14.2 and 14.5).

2. Existence of coastal protection measures: The explicit mention that a reef will “help with erosion” serves as an indicator for progress on Target 11.5. The reef itself is a measurable coastal protection and resilience-building project.

3. Application of scientific monitoring technology: The inclusion of “sonar images” of the reefs implies the use of scientific tools to monitor the state of these restored habitats. This serves as an indicator for the application of science and technology to improve ocean health (Target 14.a).

4. Formation of cross-sector partnerships: The named partnership between the “North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and Coastal Federation” is a direct indicator of progress towards Target 17.17. The existence and number of such collaborations can be tracked to measure implementation.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: starnewsonline.com