In October 2018, Hurricane Michael devastated Tyndall Air Force Base with 155 mph winds, revealing the vulnerability of coastal military bases to extreme weather. To combat this, the Pentagon launched the Reefense program, aiming to protect bases with hybrid reef structures that combine manmade materials with oysters or corals to weaken waves. Rutgers University is testing an artificial reef that can reduce wave energy by 70% and is designed to attract oysters. Other teams are developing coral-based seawalls in Hawaii and resilient elkhorn coral in Florida. The goal is to create cost-effective, environmentally friendly solutions that both the military and civilians can benefit from.
https://www.wired.com/story/darpa-thinks-walls-of-oysters-could-protect-shores-against-hurricanes/