Retired warship becomes thriving reef off Canada
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In 2015, the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) and the Canadian government intentionally sank the former HMCS Annapolis, a 113.1-metre warship, off the coast of British Columbia, Canada.
The ship had been decommissioned and prepared for disposal at sea under a permit from Environment and Climate Change Canada, requiring the removal of pollutants and debris. The ARSBC aimed to create new marine habitat in an area previously used for log storage and experiencing declines in fish populations.
Researchers with the ARSBC began monitoring the wreck shortly after it sank, initially relying on observations from recreational divers. This evolved into a citizen-science project, tracking the growth of marine life on the ship's surfaces. Within the first year, divers identified nearly 50 species, and the number continued to grow.
By 2021, the Annapolis Biodiversity Index Study documented over 170 species of marine plants and animals living on the wreck, including representatives from all marine phyla found in British Columbia waters. The artificial reef attracted several rockfish and lingcod species, including breeding lingcod, suggesting the site supports reproduction as well as providing shelter and food. The ARSBC continues to collect data, noting that the ecosystem on the Annapolis will likely continue to evolve and diversify over time.
