The Reefline project in Miami is an ambitious initiative to create an 11-mile-long artificial reef that combines art, coral restoration, and eco-tourism. The first phase features “Concrete Coral,” an installation of 22 coral-covered cars designed by artist Leandro Ehrlich. The project is led by Colin Ford, who oversees a coral nursery, growing over 2,000 specimens of soft coral, essential for the reef’s habitat.
The Reefline aims to restore what was once a thriving coral reef off Miami Beach, buried in the 1970s by beach replenishment efforts. Funded partially by a $5 million city bond, the project requires an additional $6 million, with plans for a marine learning center to educate visitors.
Artistic director Ximena Caminos describes the initiative as providing “public housing for fish,” emphasizing the need for marine life to have homes too. The project focuses on hardy, locally harvested corals that can withstand climate challenges and aims to be fully complete in about 10 years. The underwater sculptures are designed to be accessible to snorkelers, making the reef a living art exhibit.
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