The monitoring program aims to establish if the artificial reef is effective in dampening wave energy and accreting sand, which in turn is expected to broaden and stabilise the beach. The program will also monitor the colonisation of marine communities both on the reef and in the surrounding area.

Upon the establishment of the Shell Fish Reef Project Control Group a workshop and meetings were held to prepare a detailed project plan. The project plan identifies project objectives and milestones.

The project was evaluated with the following questions in mind:

• Is the reef effective in attenuating wave energy?
• Can any measurable reduction in wave energy result in coastal progradation?
• What co-benefits can be attributed to the construction of the reef?