Artificial Reefs Made of Plastic Spark Environmental Concerns in Florida

byFight for Zero
Artificial reef washed into a living shoreline project in the Lake Worth Lagoon by Reinaldo Diaz of Lake Worth Waterkeeper 

VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA - Florida’s waterways face severe pollution from sewage spills, fertilizer runoff, industrial chemicals, and stormwater, fueling harmful algal blooms and posing health risks to both wildlife and people. The degradation is so widespread that environmental groups and advocates are urgently seeking solutions, but in some cases, attempted fixes can create new problems rather than resolve them.

A Florida company is incentivizing environmental influencers to promote the installation of artificial reefs constructed with PVC and other plastic-based materials, including nylon rope and corrugated plastic shelving. While marketed as a way to improve water quality and support marine life, these structures introduce three types of toxic plastics directly into coastal ecosystems.

PVC is particularly concerning, as it contains hazardous additives such as phthalates, lead, cadmium, and organotins, chemicals known to leach into water or evaporate into the air, potentially exposing nearby communities, including children, to health risks. Nylon rope and corrugated plastic also contribute to the problem, as all plastics inevitably degrade into microplastics over time. Instead of creating cleaner waters, these artificial reefs risk becoming a toxic time bomb, releasing harmful pollutants and microplastics into the very environments they are intended to protect.



Microplastics are plastic fragments less than five millimeters long that pose serious risks to oceans, waterways, and aquatic life. Research by the World Wildlife Fund, conducted with the University of Newcastle in Australia, estimates that the average person consumes about five grams of plastic each week, the equivalent of a credit card. This toxic problem is already underway and demands urgent action to reduce its spread.

Plastics exposed to UV rays and natural weathering gradually break down into microplastics once in contact with water. The Atlantic Ocean is estimated to contain more than 21 million tons of microplastics, with concentrations rising in Florida’s surrounding waterways. Because of their rough, porous surfaces, microplastics readily bind to chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and glyphosates, an escalating concern for Florida residents, fishermen, and wildlife. Once contaminated, these tiny plastic particles are ingested by small organisms, moving up the food chain and ultimately reaching the human bloodstream.

In 2018, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary, a 156-mile-long stretch along Florida’s Space Coast, was identified as having some of the highest recorded concentrations of microplastics in the world. The lagoon serves as a natural filter between Florida’s mainland and the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by three rivers and two barrier islands. Now, in the wake of destructive 2022 storms, artificial plastic reefs are being introduced to Florida’s east coast. Marketed by social media influencers as a solution for cleaner water, these reefs are raising concerns among residents because they rely on unsustainable, plastic-based materials.

Homeowners are paying anywhere from $260 to $740 per reef to have them installed beneath private docks. Each purchase generates revenue, but according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), influencers are legally required to disclose any financial ties or business relationships when endorsing products. In many cases, such disclosures have been absent in online promotions of these reefs.

The risks extend beyond transparency issues. Microplastics shed from these artificial structures can bind with pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides, trapping toxic chemicals in the local environment. These contaminated particles accumulate in marine life, making their way into seafood and ultimately human diets. Through biomagnification, microplastics can become toxic endocrine disruptors, contributing to chronic health conditions in surrounding communities. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to these long-term effects.

Artificial reef washed into a living shoreline project in the Lake Worth Lagoon by Reinaldo Diaz of Lake Worth Waterkeeper

This is not the first time a well-intentioned “solution” has created new problems. In the 1970s, more than two million tires were sunk off the coast of Florida to build artificial reefs. At the time, the project was promoted as a way to “provide a haven for fish and other aquatic species” while repurposing discarded tires. Instead, it turned into a massive environmental disaster. Decades later, the cleanup has proven costly: the Florida Legislature authorized over $2 million to remove nearly 62,000 tires from coastal waters, with thousands more still scattered across the seafloor. Using cheap man-made materials such as rubber, plastic, PVC, or Styrofoam to construct reefs risks repeating history, leaving taxpayers to bear the burden of cleanup.

Artificial reef washed into a living shoreline project in the Lake Worth Lagoon by Reinaldo Diaz of Lake Worth Waterkeeper

Ocean Habitat is one of the organizations marketing artificial reefs as a water-cleaning solution. Scientists have repeatedly invited the company’s president to discuss concerns over the use of cheap, plastic-based materials in reef construction, but he has declined to participate. The group’s director and spokesperson, Garrett Stuart, who describes himself as a marine scientist, agricultural scientist, algae scientist, and wildlife biologist, claims the reefs are “university-proven to filter over 30,000 gallons of water every single day.” When questioned about why the reefs are made of plastic, Stuart argues that, in his professional opinion, the material does not leach microplastics for “a few hundred years,” and that the reefs are removed from the water long before then.


One Exchange with Stuart on the Social Media TikTok Platform

Conservationist and filmmaker Erik E. Crown, who is certified in plastic pollution and marine litter by the United Nations, has worked internationally with small villages to build artificial reefs from sustainable materials. Crown has raised concerns about the plastics used in Ocean Habitat’s reefs and the lack of transparency about their lifespan in the water. When he asked for clarification, he received conflicting answers: one salesman claimed the reefs would be replaced after 500 years, while another said they would be removed only when the docks themselves came down.

Despite marketing claims that the reefs are “university-proven,” the company has provided no sources or documentation to support this statement. In some cases, when pressed for details, representatives suggested people “Google it” or stated that their consulting fee is $500 per hour.

“The answers are never consistent, but the avoidance of answers is prevalent,” Crown said. “There are already too many new plastic reefs in the water, and people are not asking the critical questions, what happens when we add more plastic to a marine environment that’s already suffering?”


The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) emphasizes that location-specific evaluations are essential for the effectiveness of artificial reefs. Around the world, reef structures have successfully been built from durable, natural, or sustainable materials such as rock, cinder blocks, wood, limestone, and concrete, all of which avoid the risks associated with plastics. When asked why their reefs rely on plastic, representatives have admitted it is simply because the material is cheap and easy to install.

Florida’s intense sun and heat add to the problem. UV radiation steadily breaks down plastics, accelerating their degradation into microplastics. Scientific evidence shows that using plastic for reef construction poses long-term dangers to water quality. By contrast, projects grounded in rigorous research and sustainable materials could provide real ecological benefits.

One such initiative is underway in Volusia County, where scientists are studying BioRock technology, a coral reef system with an electrical current that strengthens growth and creates structures that are self-healing. This project is focused on restoring seagrass, oysters, clams, and marine life, offering a more scientifically sound approach to improving water quality.

Other proven strategies for protecting Florida’s waterways include installing mini artificial reefs made from safe materials, dredging, planting seagrass, and expanding populations of filter feeders like clams. While these efforts may not eliminate pollution at its source, they can help stabilize fragile ecosystems and prevent further collapse.


Additional Reading & References:

Erik E. Crown is a cancer patient and dedicated environmental advocate committed to protecting both human health and the planet. He has worked around the world to remove plastics from oceans, aware that microplastics contribute to chronic illness and cancer, and remains deeply involved in efforts to prevent future health crises.

Contact: erikecrownA@protonmail.com | 310-745-6588

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