The molds have been destroyed and there have been no additions since the Atlantis group and Neptune have severed relationships. Now that reef-building coral have developed at the site, the Neptune Society Memorial Reef can be properly identified as a coral reef.Ĭonstruction has stopped on the reef. Boaters and divers are welcome, but no fishing or lobster-taking is allowed. The Neptune Society Memorial Reef lies in a special management zone. The reef stretches across 16 acres (65,000 m 2) of ocean floor designed as both a home for sea life and 'a destination for divers'. During the permitting process, Hurricane Andrew, a category 5 hurricane swept through, requiring a re-engineering of the Reef. One of the construction requirements was that the Memorial Reef be built to withstand the strongest storm in the last 100 years. After an extensive evaluation and permitting process, the Atlantis Reef Project has been permitted by the EPA, DERM, NOAA, Florida Fish and Wildlife, and the Army Corps of Engineers. The man-made reef, located three miles (5 km) off the coast of Florida's Key Biscayne, opened in 2007 after a number of difficulties, including permits. The Reef is more correctly identified as a cremation memorial site. We can assist with pre-arranging your cremation as well. The cost of cremation and a placement at the Reef is substantially less than the cost of a funeral and burial. Neptune's burial at sea involves mixing cremated remains into concrete for a sturdy and secure final resting place. The Neptune Memorial Reef is an underwater memorial 3.25 miles (5.23 km) off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida, where families can have the cremated ashes of their loved ones interred.

Cremated remains are mixed with cement to form features of the Reef, and memorial plaques are added. The Neptune Memorial Reef offers an affordable alternative to traditional burial. The Neptune Memorial Reef's underwater gates. Though often referred to in news articles as an underwater mausoleum or underwater cemetery, the Neptune Society Memorial Reef meets the criterion for neither. It is a type of burial at sea and the first phase is estimated to be able to accommodate 850 remains, with an eventual goal of more than 125,000 remains. The Reef is an ecological success.The place was chosen at 3.25 miles (5.2 km) off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida. The Neptune Reef is developing its ecosystem at a faster rate than hoped, with more marine life than anticipated at this stage of development, and the added joy of unexpected species making an appearance. The Neptune Memorial Reef is revered for its’ breathtaking views, many people understand this place to be an undersea tribute to life. During the 2012 study of the site, researchers observed other key species of the Florida coral reef community: spiny lobsters, spotted and green morays, cleractinian corals, keystone grazing urchin, and the rainbow parrotfish. The Neptune Memorial Reef is the largest and most enchanting man-man reef is the world, located roughly 3.25 miles east of Key Biscayne near Miami, Florida. This growth in coral species and colonies is an important increase, showing the Reef’s artificial surface to be a suitable settlement habitat for reef building corals. The Neptune Memorial Reef™ can be quite rightly called a coral reef.

In 2012, 195 coral colonies were identified and 14 species, 5 more species of coral than the year before. Filefishes, trunkfishes, and pufferfishes also seem to prefer the vertical surfaces. Benthic sand and rubble and algae prefer the horizontal surfaces. Many species of crab and the long-spined sea urchin are found in crevices.īenthic organisms, such as sponge and hydroid, are substantially present, particularly on the vertical surfaces of the Reef. Fish diversity at the site appears to be increasing. Visitors to the reef can view the structure from glass-bottomed boats or as scuba divers. Sergeant Majors, Bar Jacks, and Tomtates are also present in substantial numbers. When completed, the memorial reef will be approximately 16 square acres in size. After our last required marine survey in 2012, it is evident the Neptune Memorial Reef™ is abundant with life.ĥ6 different species of fish are identified at the Reef, the most abundant being the Bluehead Wrasse.

Neptunes memorial reef