Offshore Focussing Multi-Purpose Reefs
The aim of this research was to begin to understand and quantify the size, shape and offshore location of submerged structures.
The aim of this desktop research was to begin to understand and quantify the size, shape and offshore location of submerged structures that will create the multiple amenity and environmental benefits of a complex marine habitat, the widening of the shoreward beach and enhanced wave breaking (in terms of the surfing amenity). There are many natural examples of such structures leading to these benefits in New Zealand and world-wide. These natural examples were used as a basis to quantify the variables of size, shape and offshore location of submerged structures that would lead to the multiple amenity benefits in an environmentally sensitive way. Following the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake – large volumes of cliff debris and rubble were generated at Sumner Beach which was subsequently selected as a case study for preliminary numerical modelling. Sumner Beach would benefit from a wider beach (it is currently backed by rock revetment and narrow in width) and enhanced surfing conditions, while the ecological enhancement has potential benefits to a wider group of users.
