Press Release Summary = What was once an unusual pastime has become a full-time job
for Burt Minter and Troy Hawboldt.
The two have started a business called Artificial Reef Structures, and are now proud
to say they are the only authorized Reef Ball contractor in Canada.
Press Release Body = Minter and Hawboldt began by constructing the Reef Balls which
have given sealife a place to live along Bevan Pier. "Reg Teeney asked Burt to make them and Burt called me up and said 'can you help?'"
said Hawboldt. The two quickly found a rhythm and soon found themselves makinghundreds of the specially formed concrete balls.
Artificial Reef Structures recently completed an agreement with the Artificial Reef
Foundation and the two will work closely to help restore selective Canadian aquatic
ecosystems.
The 500 lb. balls, which are three feet across at the base and stand two-and-half
feet high, are made from an environmentally friendly blend of concrete and
specifically designed to provide habitat for marine life.
When Reg Teeney and John Bell, in cooperation with the Town of Sidney, planned the
Bevan fishing pier, they commissioned the placement of reef balls along its
perimeter to rejuvenate the sealife near the shore. The project was so successful
that, in 1998, it was named the best Reef Ball project in the world by the
international Reef Ball Organization.
"We want to spread the word about what artificial reefs can do," said Hawboldt. "Any
municipality that is doing major construction, any place there is a dock, the
district or community can implement a reef system into it."
Hawboldt said Sidney is leading the way with its use of the reef balls around the Bevan Pier.
"It's a big draw for divers - the market could be huge. Nova Scotia is an area we
are looking at. There has been a lot of damage to the water there, mainly mercury,
even the lobster industry has declined because of it - the ocean is so special, the
ecosystem is something we don't want to lose."
For more info about reef balls please visit: http://www.reefballs.ca or
http://www.artificialreefstructures.com
Original press release by news@peninsulanewsreview.com
Web Site = http://www.artificialreefstructures.com