Abstract: A marine habitat system comprising one or more assembled units, each formed of a flotation element and a plurality of habitat tiers fixed to and spaced below the flotation element. The habitat tiers are comprised of frame assemblies formed of upper and lower open frame elements and side walls, forming a space. The space is filled with a mesh matrix of plastic fibers which forms an ideal environment in which various desirable juvenile marine creatures (crabs, lobsters, oysters, etc.) can thrive. Upwardly projecting, simulated prop roots can be provided on the habitat tiers to provide additional anchorage area for marine life to attach.

Abstract: A multi-tier marine nursery habitat, comprised of a plurality of fiberglass or other non-degrading tier panels, secured in vertically spaced relation by vertical tie rod elements passing through spacer elements of plastic (inserted “plastic, deleted “PVC”) pipe sections, with flotation elements attached at the top. The surfaces of the panels are covered with crushed shells. Sections of polypropylene or other non-degrading rope extend vertically through the assembled tier panels in a predetermined closely spaced-apart relation to provide simulated prop roots providing high surface area for attachment of marine organisms. The habitat is comprised of inexpensive components and is particularly suitable for manual assembly at low cost with relatively unskilled labor.

Abstract: A marine habitat system comprising one or more assembled units, each formed of a flotation element and a plurality of habitat tiers fixed to and spaced below the flotation element. The habitat tiers are comprised of frame assemblies formed of upper and lower open frame elements and side walls, forming a space. The space is filled with a mesh matrix of plastic fibers which forms an ideal environment in which various desirable juvenile marine creatures (crabs, lobsters, oysters, etc.) can thrive. Upwardly projecting, simulated prop roots can be provided on the habitat tiers to provide additional anchorage area for marine life to attach.

Abstract: A family of man-made marine habitat systems and methods are disclosed for placement in various waterways to restore the natural marine environments that have been previously destroyed by commercial development as well as mitigate the damage caused by future development of coastal waters. The inventive marine habitat systems include individual habitat units having different configurations, more specifically, different sizes and arrangements of vertical and horizontal members, which are strategically placed in a restorative area in a body of water to serve as shelter for a variety of aquatic animals, including but not limited to, fish and a variety of bio-fouling organisms, including but not limited to oysters, mussels, and sea squirts. Novel anti-chafe devices and anchoring systems for use with the inventive marine habitat systems are also disclosed.