C.Y. O’Connor Beach Reef
Diversity forYear 1
SiThe C.Y. O’Connor Beach reef is significant because it tests whether an offshore structure can provide coastal protection while also supporting marine biodiversity and recreation.
Its history so far shows both promise and limitations. The early research indicates that it reduces wave energy, and the increase in observed marine species suggests that it has created valuable habitat. But it is not a complete solution to coastal erosion, and the shoreline still requires active management.
Encouraged by the initial results, the City expanded the project in November 2024. I photographed this reef in 2025. It has 135 modules set parallel to the original reef, bringing the total to 270 modules across two approximately 100-metre rows.
I endeavour to record the increasing diversity on this reef and its older partner..
Diversity for Year 2
The weather was calm and bright for my visit to the artificial reef at C.Y. O’Connor Beach in 2025. These are pictures of the original reef. The first 135 modules were installed parralel to the beach and are 100 metres long. The ecological and coastal monitoring began in 2022. This makes it its third year, but only just, so I have called it the diversity for year 2.
The modules were designed to interrupt and dissipate incoming wave energy. By reducing the force of waves reaching the shoreline, the reef was intended to help sand settle rather than be carried away by wave action and currents.
