US Navy says no to dumping aircraft carrier

A global toxic trade watchdog organization recently claimed victory when the US Navy decided to recycle an aircraft carrier rather than sink it as an artificial reef. The decision is expected to create green jobs as well as save taxpayer dollars.

“The Obama Administration’s new plan to recycle these four aircraft carriers appears to be a signal that the Administration may be correcting long-standing misguided policies that not only squander resources, but American jobs as well,” said Colby Self, BAN’s Green Ship Recycling Campaign director.

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Long term damage, short term benefit: reefs break down under stress

A recent report commissioned by opponents of the Avoca artificial reef project highlights the problems with using wrecks as reefs: they break apart. A recent artificial reef project in New Zealand had to issue warnings to divers due to the helicopter hanger of the boat becoming detached from the rest of the boat.

Breakup of three ships within 6 months to one year resulted in closure, temporary
closure of the reefing sites to diving or warnings of significantly increased diving
hazards.  (Appendices C, D. E)
 

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Reef opponents question BC Government acceptance of warship

News that the Province of British Columbia had accepted a decommissioned warship as a gift and planned to continue controversial plans to sink it as an artificial reef in Howe Sound surprised opponents of the project who pointed out that the plan has been rejected by other government agencies.

Andrew Strang, of the Save Halkett Bay Campaign, said his group is shocked by the news, because last year the B.C. parks branch rejected the proposal, stating in a Nov. 4, 2010, letter to ARSBC that the ship could not be sunk without changes to the park master plan, which would require public consultation.

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Lost ocean cargo may create 'stepping stones' for invasive species

A study looks at the effects that lost shipping containers are having on the marine environment. These lost items create artificial reefs which may provide habitat for eco-system altering invaders.

"What concerns me is that we might be changing this ecology before we even understand it."

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