Project Page

Florida Artificial Reef Creation and Restoration – Phase 2

Implementing Organization

State of Florida

Overview

DWH Project Funding

$10,342,500

Known Leveraged Funding

$0

Funding Organization

Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)

Funding Program

Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA

Details

Project Category

Recreational Use

Project Actions

Engineering and/or Construction

Targeted Resources

Recreational Resources

Project Description

The project will implement Phase 2 of artificial reef development across Northwest Florida, creating new marine recreational fishing and diving opportunities for residents and visitors across the region. The project will build upon the interagency partnerships developed during the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resources Damage Assessment (DWH NRDA) Florida Artificial Reef Creation and Restoration project (Phase 1). Specifically, the project will • Establish grant agreements through partnerships with local coastal governments for project implementation (planning, selection, design, permitting, construction, and as-built documentation) off the coasts of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay Counties. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) will directly oversee activities in Gulf, Franklin, and Wakulla Counties; • Construct artificial reefs with one or more of the following materials: 1) rock boulders, 2) prefabricated concrete, or 3) designed modules. Representative target fish species enhanced by this project include amberjack, red snapper, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, kingfish, cobia, gag grouper, scamp grouper, and other reef fish and grouper/snapper species. Compared to Phase 1, this project will provide a greater diversity of materials and locations to maximize recreational benefits across a broader geographic range and accommodate a greater variety of marine fish species to satisfy a wider spectrum of user groups. The placement of artificial reefs will provide new recreational fishing opportunities and enhance fishing experiences for saltwater anglers and reduce fishing pressure at existing natural and artifi...click on "More Info" link below

Contact

Gareth Leonard
(850) 617-9452
gareth.leonard@myfwc.com
Project Website
Project Partners

None

Affiliated Institutions

For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/

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