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“Ocean Habitats taught us that by putting a floating reef under our dock it’s going to bring the smaller fish, it’s going to bring the shrimp, it’s going to bring all the other smaller species to our dock,” Carlson said. “I see this just taking off down here and Marco, because everyone that lives on Marco, that I know of at least, loves to fish and wants to be on the water.”

“The water is our economy, and without a clean, healthy waterway and waterborne ecosystem, we don’t have an economy,” said Capt. Dylan Hubbard, the owner of Hubbard’s Marina. “Our coastal communities depend on these clean waters and beautiful beaches for our tourism and for most everyone’s job is somehow related to the tourism industry.”

“The goal for the association is 1500 for the Grand Canal. We have put some in ourselves outside of that project, but we definitely want to encourage residents if they want to be a part of this, the goal is to have those in and help clean up the Grand Canal in a few years,” said Dr. Wolff.

Recently, the Siesta Key Association received a $9,000 Sarasota County Neighborhood Grant to support the installation of 30 new mini-reefs on Commonwealth Lane, on Siesta Key’s man-made, 9-mile-long Grand Canal.

"Water quality is very important. People don’t want to come down and have dinner if the water is disgusting and the red tide and they’re coughing. I’ll do what I can to help with the environment," said Adorna.

Santa Rosa Beach, Florida – Ocean Habitat’s unique  ‘mini-reef’ structure attracts marine life and filters waters threatened by pollution and over-development. Installed under docks, the 3’x2’x2’ artificial reefs support hundreds...

“The first thing we want to do is engage the residents and let them know the benefits that the conservancy can bring to their current home and the habitats around their home that support the wildlife that they are here for...the reason they love the island,” said Haney.

“As far as restoring nursery habitat, there’s almost no one else on the planet doing that besides people who plant mangrove trees,” David Wolff, the executive director of the mini reef company Ocean Habitats, said.