An Artificial Reef with mooring function
Habitat moorings provide refuge cavities and tunnels that attract numerous species of fish and crustaceans, plus bio friendly wall surfaces that support myriad aquatic plants. This oasis effect has been extensively documented at two locations on the Maine coast by Christopher Roy, a Graduate Student at The University of Maine.
In a series of dives spanning 2012 and 2013, Chris and his University of Maine colleagues studied Habitat Moorings at Seal Harbor, on Mt. Desert Island, and Sand Cove, near South Bristol. The team catalogued over 50 species of marine animals and plants aggregating on the moorings. Moreover, the Habitat Moorings showed vastly more marine life and biodiversity than control granite moorings that were located nearby.
Two seasons of field research along the Maine coast
Ready to depart for Seal Harbor
Christopher Roy, Graduate Student at University of Maine and Lee Ann Thayer, Marine Biology Student at University of Maine, ready to depart for Seal Harbor.
Final check before dive
Lee Ann, Mt. Desert Harbor Master Shawn Murphy and Chris check collection bag before dive.
Field study requires a lot of gear
Some of the equipment required for the field study. Note the scraper.
Seal Harbor mooring is overgrown with aquatic plants
Chris Roy and Lee Ann Thayer approaching a Habitat Mooring at Seal Harbor, Maine. The mooring is completely covered in aquatic plants and virtually unrecognizable.
Mooring after it has been scraped
The same mooring after Chris and Lee Ann have scraped it clean. They did this in order to study the rate of new growth on the mooring, as compared to a nearby granite block of comparable size.
Grid helps divers to cover all the surface areas
A grid helps divers inspect every inch of wall surface. The smaller tunnels are 2” in diameter, the larger tunnels are 3” in diameter.
Measuring specimens
All specimens were carefully measured and counted. Some individual lobsters established a tunnel cavity as their home territory and were captured more than once
American Lobsters
American Lobsters were found in all levels of chambers on the Habitat Moorings. Adult Lobsters like the one held here, were usually found in lower chambers.
Atlantic Flounders
Atlantic Flounders, like this juvenile, were sometimes found on the flat top portion of the mooring.
Atlantic Hake
Atlantic Hake in lower chamber. Photo credit: Lee Ann Thayer
Numerous species of crabs
Over the course of the field study, 7 species of crab were recorded on the moorings.
Small Atlantic Cod
Small Atlantic Cod in collection net. Amazingly, on another dive, Chris collected a 17” Atlantic Cod from one of the 3” diameter tunnels.
Top pocket of the mooring
The top pocket on the mooring, with recessed hitch rod and chain link, became a desirable cavity for many varieties of marine life.
Retreat and escape
Lobsters usually retreated to deepest recesses of tunnels, or attempted to escape out the “back door” of the tunnel
Standing his ground
Usually retreated, but not always. This guy stood his ground.
Study site at Sand Cove
Sand Cove, near South Bristol, Maine. The Habitat Mooring is under the white float that is to the right of the lobster boat in the center of the picture. Chris and crew were able to swim out to the mooring from shore, towing their collection gear in a small raft.
Over 50 species recorded to date.
This list comprises the marine plants and animals observed on Habitat Moorings in 2012 and 2013. It was compiled by Chris Roy, a graduate student at the University of Maine and Dr. Ian Bricknell, Professor of Aquaculture Biology, at The University of Maine.
Vertebrates
- Atlantic Cod
- Rock Bass
- Pollack
- American Eel
- Mackerel
- Flounder
- Atlantic Hake
- Sculpin
- Cunner
- Lumpfish
- 3 species unidentified fish
Invertebrates
Crustaceans
- Lobsters
- Crabs (7 species)
- Barnacles (4 species)
Echinoderms
- Sand Dollars
- Star Fish (3 species)
- Green Urchins
- Sea Cucumber
Encrusting Animals
- Orange Sponge
- Hydroids
- Byrozoans
- Serpulid Worms
- Coelenterates
- Plumrose Anemones
- Sea Anemones
Sea Squirts
- Colonial and Sessile
Bivales
- Mussels (2 species)
- Scallops
- Surf Clam
- Oyster
Gastropods
- Slipper Limpets
- True Limpets
- Periwinkle
- Sea Slug
- Whelk
Macro Algae
- Sweet Kelp
- Ulva (Sea Lettuce)
- Dulse
- Entromorpha Species
- Corraline algae