In 2016, Texas built RGV Reef from 477 piles of railroad ties and concrete across 1,650 acres off South Padre Island; sonar estimated 24.4 tons of fish biomass there

A groundbreaking artificial reef off the Texas coast now sustains more than twenty-four tons of fish biomass. Constructed from discarded railroad ties and concrete, it fosters a thriving marine ecosystem. Researchers are currently investigating its potential as a 'blue carbon' sink, aiming to explore climate change mitigation strategies. Since 1970, artificial reefs across the United States have expanded their seafloor influence, showcasing successful recycling of waste materials for environmental restoration.