The Amaryllis wreck, a 440-foot freighter that became an artificial reef off Palm Beach County in 1968, has yielded sightings of 136 fish species across 15 volunteer diver surveys. The observations show the variety recorded at the site, but do not establish how it compares with a nearby natural reef.

Key Takeaways

  • The freighter ran aground on Singer Island in 1964 and later became a reef in roughly 82 feet of water.
  • The surveys recorded species seen, not the number of individual fish.
  • Research suggests artificial reef outcomes vary by location and materials.

How the Amaryllis wreck became a reef

The Amaryllis ran aground on Singer Island in 1964 and became a local attraction. Waves around the stranded ship also drew surfers to an area where surfing was otherwise forbidden.

The freighter was later sunk in roughly 82 feet of water, becoming an artificial reef in 1968.

What the fish surveys show

Divers recorded 136 fish species in 15 surveys around the wreck, using a volunteer monitoring program in which participants log sightings through standardized visual identification.

The survey count captures different species observed, rather than the number of fish. Different volunteers conducted the surveys and may have had varying levels of expertise. The observations also do not provide a direct comparison with a natural reef in the same area.

The wider artificial reef evidence

A 2020 review published in Frontiers in Marine Science found that artificial reefs could provide fish density, biomass, species richness and diversity comparable to natural reefs. Its findings varied by location and the materials used.

The review noted continuing debate over whether artificial reefs can function like comparable natural reefs and favored considering their use strategically, including the location and resources available. The Amaryllis is one site within that broader research question.

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