[BCMA] Are Artificial Reefs the Answer to Habitat Loss? Learn More at the Maritime Museum of BC

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Amazing Sea Stories - The Maritime Museum of BC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 9th, 2012

Explore our ocean with the Maritime Museum of BC through our What Lies Beneath Lecture Series. Every fourth Wednesday from 7-9pm, we will host a presentation on various topics that currently affect this underwater environment. These presentations will feature key-note speakers who are active every day in understanding, studying and monitoring our ocean. Doors open at 6:30pm. Cost is $12 for General Admission; $10 for Seniors and Students and free for MMBC Members and children 12 & under.


Coming Wednesday, February 22nd, explore the world of artificial reefs with Howie Robins, President and co-founder of the Artificial Reef Society of BC. Delve into ARSBC's latest project the HMCS Annapolis - the last of the great steam driven destroyers. Learn about the great complexities of creating ship to reef projects. As well, discover the myriad of detailed planning needed for large complex projects and what they have produced to return to our coastal waters.

According to Robins, "the business of reefing ships as man-made marine habitats is an activity that has come into its own time. Sea-faring nations world-wide, including Canada, have aging fleets of ships. Global Navies, industrial and commercial shipping companies and governments all have chronic problems with surplus and/or derelict ships. We all know our marine environment is under severe stress leading to species and habitat loss."

In response to this growing concern, the ARSBC has helped provide a means to reduce this issue. "Under strict international preparation guidelines," continues Robins "the intentional re-use of ships-to-reefs programs is for many industrialized countries, a growing practice. Ships provide a stable and long term complex structure commonly used as compensation for habitat loss."

An added bonus to artificial reefs, says Robins, is "the eco-adventure dive tourism it brings to the local economies." The issue of artificial Reefs being portrayed as a paradise or pollution is topical, current, controversial and educational.

The ARSBC has, in fact, become a tourism success story in Canada and around the world.  In British Columbia you will understand the impact of these "man-made reefs" and how they have helped to enhance BC's marine ecology, scuba dive tourism industry and the economic benefits to BC's coastal communities.
Stay beneath the waves with the next presentation following on March 28th. Join outdoor adventure Travel Writer/Photographer, Barb Roy<http://www.barbroyphotography.com/> as she takes you on a journey around British Columbia's underwater paradise. Let her introduce you to six-gill sharks, giant Pacific octopus, friendly wolf-eels, colourful rockfish and an array of invertebrate life around coastal BC. The unusual microbialite formations of Pavilion Lake and the wild salmon of Adams Lake will stir your sense of exploration!

For a full list of all the upcoming lectures, please visit our website at mmbc.bc.ca and search under Featured Exhibits, or call 250-385-4222. Children under 12 are now free at the Museum!

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MaryAnne Dieno
Marketing, Events and Communications Coordinator
250-385-4222, ext. 113
mdieno at mmbc.bc.ca<mailto:mdieno at mmbc.bc.ca>
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