Fish off the coast of Georgia have found a new habitat in an unlikely place—two decommissioned MARTA railcars. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Reef Project, as part of its efforts to foster marine life, sank the railcars last December to create man-made reef environments.
In July, after eight months submerged, the DNR's divers returned with new photos showing a burgeoning underwater ecosystem. According to WABE, nine species of game fish along with soft corals were documented taking residence in and around the submerged railcars. The artificial habitats are located 23 nautical miles east of Ossabaw Island and form part of the larger Artificial Reef L, a site originally developed in 1976 that spans about two square miles.
"The artificial reef is looking great, and we are encouraged by the amount of coral growth and marine wildlife activity," Cameron Brinton, a marine biologist with DNR's Coastal Resources Division, told WABE. Before their submersion, the railcars were subjected to a thorough cleaning and passed U.S. Coast Guard inspection to ensure they were fit for their new role beneath the waves.
The MARTA railcars joined a diverse roster of subaquatic structures on the ocean's floor that includes remnants from urban life such as New York City subway cars to relics of war like World War II battle tanks. MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood observed the progressive development on the railcars with satisfaction. "It’s exciting to see this type of development on the railcars after only a few months and we hope to provide more retired railcars for reef deployment as we make room for our new trains," Greenwood said in the press release noted by WABE.
One of the railcars has undergone an expected transformation, with its roof collapsing inward, which Brinton notes is typical over time and helps the structures integrate into the surrounding marine habitat. This process benefits various sea life, offering refuge to not only sport fish but also endangered species like sea turtles.
