The eco benefits of forming fish growing reefs close to boat launching areas are many:

Fishermen use significantly less petrol getting to where fish are.
Simpler near shore fishing boats can be used.
The fishing is action packed, fun and produces a great diversity of species.
Smaller catches can be utilized more fully.
Commonly one recreational boat will freely distribute their catch and feed many families.
The fish you eat is fresh.
Even the seaweed growth on enhancement modules consumes carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean. Knowing you have helped create a renewable source of fresh healthy protein (with omega 3 to make us all smarter and hopefully wiser), is just an incredibly fulfilling feeling in itself.

Seabed enhancement as we promote it, is an holistic approach that offers an extension on its fore runner, artificial reef building. REAF Ltd (Real Eco Active Fishing) incorporates a sustainable fishing ethics exploration into its approach. In a clam shell, this project is about giving back to the marine world and developing our connection with the environment.

In New Zealand the sea is an open area that recreational and customary fishers can freely fish, there are no license fees to pay. While sounding great, environment enhancing projects such as building a Community Reef have no way of being directly funded. We are wanting to progress this pilot project further. REAF invites individuals, families and groups, you, to get involved via our web site with a variety of options, from donating for a mauri stone, sponsoring named enhancement modules, to building an entire dedicated REAF (Recreated Enhanced Area for Fish). We also offer Day Tours, Eco-fishing charters, and sell eco-fishing supplies to help build the reef, share ideas and spread the word.

Read more on our web site at www.reaf.org.nz

A start on Community reef building has been made out of Opotiki, NZ.(Pop.6000). Opotiki hosts many great events but is also distinguished by coming in bottom of the heap on socio-economic indicators. REAF also believes the building of a Community Reef in conjunction with other local initiatives will help stimulate economic opportunities.

We currently have premises but also seek a partnership with a major sponsor to help with some larger items like a 6-8m deployment vessel, tow vehicle, trailer and monitoring equipment. With a start up salary and operating budget one's corporate social responsibility could be well established and bringing returns via its association with such a worthy project.

Being eco-optimists, we believe that in time a realization will dawn that having a personal or family REAF will be seen not just as a good food source but as something desirable in terms of our connectedness with the marine environment. Working with nature, a REAF can be tended just as a gardener does his garden. As these skills and understandings develop, we project that seabed enhancement activity will become self actuating.

This opportunity could well suit a Company with marine interests but we leave this open.
You can see more of us by visiting our web site at www.reaf.org.nz.