The Ocean Rescue Alliance (ORA) in partnership with the City of Hollywood’s Community Redevelopment Agency, is preparing to create its second 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project site off the coast of Hollywood Beach with 20 ocean-friendly artificial reef modules. The Hollywood site will bring the total number of artificial reef structures deployed in the ocean off South Florida's coast to over 100 since the project was originally launched 5 years ago.

The 1000 Mermaids Project is a monumental public eco-art project in the form of an artificial reef installation that also serves as an underwater eco-friendly destination for coral restoration, eco-tourism & research. The artificial reef sculptures, weighing between 2200-3300 lbs each, come outfitted with the patented "Coral Lok" system allowing coral to be out-planted directly to the artificial reefs. These revolutionary reef sculptures will be placed just a few miles southeast of the Port Everglades Inlet, in an area where thousands of corals are required to be transplanted as part of ongoing port expansion projects. Thanks to ORA's contributions to initiatives accelerating coral restoration efforts in Southeast Florida, this site is designed to become a recipient site for transplanted corals providing a variety of community-based, citizen science and educational opportunities. Of the 20 artificial reef structures being deployed, 5 feature artistic sculptures such as mermaids, a swim up selfie mermaid tail, and an industrial diver suit. The remaining 15 structures, built by Reef Cells in Boynton Beach, have biological bases specifically engineered to support fish habitat and provide coral restoration opportunities.

"The Hollywood 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project site will enhance the nearshore reef ecosystem and serve as a real attraction for the dive community,” says Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy. "These artificial reef modules will entice reef fish and support coral restoration while at the same time being beautiful pieces of art divers will want to come and see and be photographed with. The city is excited to work with Ocean Rescue Alliance to continue to expand this project and offer additional underwater sites that beachgoers can swim to from shore. "

The Ocean Rescue Alliance's 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project works to bring awareness to the growing problems affecting our natural reefs by educating the general public on issues they may not be aware of on the surface, but are happening underneath the water. Partnering with Reef Cells, an organization that has successfully deployed hundreds of artificial reefs in South Florida, is a tremendous step for the 1000 Mermaids project fusing art and science to develop artistic reef sculptures that look and function like natural reefs.

"The Ocean Rescue Alliance is looking forward to deploying this artificial reef in partnership with the City of Hollywood to make a reef site that truly connects the community back to the marine environment." Says Shelby Thomas, Founder and CEO of Ocean Rescue Alliance. " More importantly, this reef site will continuously host and protect marine life while facilitating unique opportunities that will serve the community for generations to come. We could not be more excited to announce more of our education and outreach programs that will be implemented at this site and throughout the community with partners such as The South Florida Association of Environmental Professionals, The Reef Discovery Center, Nova Southeastern University and many more.”

Reef Cells uses eco-friendly materials including limestone concrete & calcium carbonate that encourage corals and other sea creatures to attach themselves to the reef with reef shapes that are strategically designed to provide a home to thousands of fish and invertebrates. Reef Cells are a proven solution for building new reef communities while providing destinations for divers to experience the thrill of exploring these unique underwater sculpture gardens. Mermaids have long been a symbol of humans’ connection to the ocean. Sculptures for this installation were created by using 3D scans of real people to create the mermaids that are artistically crafted onto the modules.

"It has been a beautiful dream 5 years in the making to help bring this revolutionary project to life in our backyard as a solution to hopefully help save our vital reef systems before it's too late. We're extremely excited to be providing opportunities for our local communities including citizen science opportunities enabling anyone from a middle school student to a veteran to help us out-plant coral fragments while diving the reef," says Evan Snow, Co-Founder & COO of the Ocean Rescue Alliance & 1000 Mermaids Project.

It is estimated that coral reefs provide $375 billion per year around the world in goods and services with NOAA suggesting that in South Florida alone reefs have an asset value of $8.5 billion generating $4.4 billion in local sales and $2 billion in local income supporting over 70,000 jobs. With current coral disease and bleaching events disrupting the Florida Reef Tract, ORA & Reef Cells developments come at a critical time as a promising innovation to saving South Florida’s reefs at a nominal cost compared to the real world value of our coral reef eco-systems.

The Ocean Rescue Alliance and its 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project is an established 501 (c)3 Florida Not For Profit Corporation, interested parties can support the project through donations to "adopt-a-coral." For more information go to www.oceanrescuealliance.org or  www.1000mermaids.com .

About The Ocean Rescue Alliance and 1000 Mermaids Project
Ocean Rescue Alliance (ORA) is a marine conservation and restoration non-profit organization that implements innovative technologies to restore our marine environments. Through the creation of artificial reefs designed to incorporate art, innovative designs, and safe materials, ORA will enhance marine habitats and provide unique diving locations worldwide. Our artificial reefs serve as a targeted solution in the face of pressing marine habitat challenges, to increase coastal resiliency, expand ecosystem services and create lasting habitat for biodiverse marine organisms. 

The 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project & Gallery of 1000 Mermaids is a monumental public EcoArt project in the form of an artificial reef installation that will also serve as an underwater eco-friendly destination for coral restoration, tourism & research. Its mission is to enhance marine habitats and expand fishery populations while providing enhanced creative, economic and educational opportunities for the benefit, education and enjoyment of residents, students and visitors alike. “Like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/1000mermaids, follow us on Instagram @1000mermaids.

The Ocean Rescue Alliance's "1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project" is an established 501 (c)3 Florida Not For Profit Corporation, interested parties can support the project through donations, merchandise & plaque purchases, and opportunities to "adopt-a-coral." For more information go to www.1000mermaids.com or www.oceanrescuealliance.org.