
One Man's Trash: Artificial Reefs Creating Underwater Treasures
From Sea Change by WWNO & WRKF
February 25, 2026 · 35 min
About this episode
This episode discusses the complexities and benefits of artificial reefs in supporting fisheries and tourism.
Artificial reefs have been credited with supporting fisheries, protecting rare species, and attracting tourists that boost the economy. But, of course, like any story about the environment, it gets complicated both here in the Gulf and on Cambodia’s coast. If you'd like to know more about Alabama's booming artificial reef program, check out this article from Irina Zhorov. EPISODE CREDITS This episode was hosted by Executive Producer Carlyle Calhoun and reported by Eva Tesfaye and Leila Goldstein. The episode was edited by Johanna Zorn, with additional help from Rosemary Westwood, Michael McEwan, and Aubri Juhasz. The episode was fact-checked by Michael McEwan. Sound design by Kurt Kohnen. Our theme music is by Jon Batiste. Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. Sea Change is made possible with major support from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. WWNO’s Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Meraux Foundation, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
People in this episode
Host: Carlyle Calhoun
Topics covered
- artificial reefs
- fisheries
- environment
- tourism
- marine conservation
- Gulf of Mexico
- Cambodia
Keywords
- artificial reefs
- fisheries
- tourism
- marine conservation
- Gulf of Mexico
- Cambodia
- environment
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: WWNO, WRKF, NPR Podcast Network, PRX, Walton Family Foundation, Meraux Foundation, Greater New Orleans Foundation
Places: Gulf, Cambodia, Alabama
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