Mindi,
Ocean dumping is another highly debated topic. Fish like the striped bass respond to structure very well. Other fish, like cod, tautog and pollack also take to structure. Coral and other sea life bond to the materials making an artificial reef. This can be very good for the ocean.
Unfortunately, there is also a downside. The WTC buildings were pretty old. I'm not sure exactly what's in there. I know one of the ingredients in the walls was abestos. I don't know how that affects the sea life.
The problem I have with this ocean dumping is some of these materials can be recycled. It would cost some money but less than the cost of the health of our seaboard.
I believe too many times, places dump stuff in the ocean without knowing the long term effects of the materials. For years, companies like General Electric pumped PCBs into the hudson river. The pollution has not only crippled the amount of fish from the Hudson breeding grounds but also creates limits on how many fish we can eat. Because of the contamination, low risk groups are advised to eat only one or two fish a month. High risk groups are told to not eat any of it.
In my heart, I believe groups are just looking to get rid of trash without caring about what happens. They might mask it by saying it helps but who knows? It's still a pile of trash in the ocean.
I can grow mold on some bread but I don't call it a penicillan farm.
