When ships sink to the ocean floor, the ocean transforms them into artificial reefs. This new life begins with the growth of coral polyps and the arrival of small plankton, followed by schools of fish and hungry predators, until the ship is home to hundreds of sea creatures. It’s a magical transformation from relic to reef that helps bring life back to struggling ocean ecosystems.

From early times, man has created artificial reefs for a variety of reasons: some to form barriers to hold back creeks or streams, others to aid in rudimentary fishing while yet others were to create habitat for marine creatures, primarily, and for recreational divers, generally. An additional reason for the more recent planned and executed creation of artificial reefs is to preserve historical wrecks from over-anxious divers and to give these divers a preferred underwater site to explore; an added bonus is to aid local tourism. This story builds on the idea that former surface vessels can be used to make artificial reefs that serve as a habitat for marine critters and as a prime dive site for recreational divers. The story centres around five former Royal Canadian Navy destroyers, one former RCN maintenance vessel, as well as one former Air Canada Boeing 737and one former coastal freighter. Each of these artificial reefs is located in selected coastal waters off the west and east coasts of North America. Read how a cool beer combined with a paper napkin were the genesis of a world class organisation that set the standard for changing former warships into artificial reefs that has been copied by diving enthusiasts in both north and south hemispheres.

A Junior Library Guild Selection Discover the tiny, fascinating world of sunken-ship reefs in this latest book in an illuminating nonfiction picture book series that explores how even the smallest habitats play big roles in nature. Long ago, a grand treasure ship journeyed across the Caribbean sea. One day a storm swirled in. The ship was swished, and swayed, and swamped! Then it sank down to the seafloor, where it would become a treasure ship of a different kind… When ships sink to the bottom of the sea, time can change them into rich reef ecosystems, home to a wealth of sea life big and small. Sunken ships and other human-made underwater objects are called artificial reefs. These ocean oases provide food and shelter for a vast array of plants and animals, from little sea lettuces to big bottlenose dolphins and many more sea species in between. With snappy, funny text and lush illustrations, this book invites curious readers to step into a tiny ecosystem that’s truly full of treasures.

From aerial survey to zoology, Part I of this two-part encyclopedia covers all aspects of underwater archeology, treasure hunting and salvaging. For example, entries are included for different types of artifacts, notable treasure hunters, the various salvaging equipment, and techniques in mapping and excavating. Part II covers the shipwrecks themselves, dividing them into 13 geographical categories. Beginning with the northernmost category (Canada) and ending with the southernmost (South America), every known shipwreck--both identified and unidentified--receives an entry in alphabetical order under its appropriate geographical category. Entries are by name, such as Andrea Gail, Titanic, and Queen Ann's Revenge. Unidentified is used when a shipwreck's name remains unknown. Entries give the nationality (e.g., Spanish, British, American), type (schooner, frigate, brig are three), function (examples: slave transportation, piracy, fishing), location and history of the shipwreck.

Coral reefs represent the most spectacular and diverse marine ecosystem on the planet as well as a critical source of income for millions of people. However, the combined effects of human activity have led to a rapid decline in the health of reefs worldwide, with many now facing complete destruction. Their world-wide deterioration and over-exploitation has continued and even accelerated in many areas since the publication of the first edition in 2009. At the same time, there has been a near doubling in the number of scientific papers that have been written in this short time about coral reef biology and the ability to acclimate to ocean warming and acidification. This new edition has been thoroughly revised and updated, incorporating the significant increase in knowledge gained over the last decade whilst retaining the book's focus as a concise and affordable overview of the field. The Biology of Coral Reefs provides an integrated overview of the function, physiology, ecology, and behaviour of coral reef organisms. Each chapter is enriched with a selection of 'boxes' on specific aspects written by internationally recognised experts. As with other books in the Biology of Habitats Series, the emphasis in this book is on the organisms that dominate this marine environment although pollution, conservation, climate change, and experimental aspects are also included. Indeed, particular emphasis is placed on conservation and management due to the habitat's critically endangered status. A global range of examples is employed which gives the book international relevance.

"This book covers the numerous shipwrecks, aircraft wrecks and reefs surrounding Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The author, Neil Whiting began began diving in 1978 and moved to PNG in 1980 and became involved in the Port Moresby Sub-Aqua Club and exploring the underwater areas and a dive instructor in 1988. The book includes a history of each site with charts, depths and details for planning a diving. Port Moresby is bordered by serveral harbors, bays and reefs the area is full of history and natural dive sites for SCUBA divers and historians to explore."--Publisher's description

Expert guide to locating, surveying, excavating, identifying sunken vessels. Also detailed catalog of 4,000 wrecks arranged by year and locale. 73 illustrations. Bibliography.