Cold Water Reefs
To most people the term reef implies a tropical coral reef. That is only one kind. A reef is basically any structure that supports a mass of underwater life. In the cold, plankton rich waters of the west coast of North America there are plenty of reefs. They even support species that are more often associated with tropical seas. Colourful soft corals, sponges, anemone, and other life form lush environments in many places along the coast. Along with Kelp Forests, these areas are a valuable habitat for many fish species as well.