By L. Scott Jackson UF/IFAS Extension Bay County and Florida Sea Grant | Special to The News Herald

Beginning later this month, new artificial reefs will be deployed in Bay County, with more scheduled through the end of 2020. Reefs will be deployed in 8 new permitted sites located 11 – 15 nautical miles (nm) southwest of the St Andrew Bay Pass in state waters.

The new reefs are funded by Department of Interior’s Natural Resources Damages Assessment and Restoration Program also known as NRDA, as a result of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Florida NRDA funds are managed by state trustees at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Commission (FWC). As part of the settlement, all funded artificial reef projects in Northwest Florida have requirements in order to be funded https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/artificial-reefs/nrda .

Artificial Reef Requirements for this Funding

Artificial reef projects for this initial round of NRDA funding must be in state waters. Additionally, reef modules were prescribed by the trustees. Future artificial reef projects may have more flexibility on location and materials. This fall’s Bay County NRDA Phase II project will use three types of approved engineered concrete modules. These include 154 small pyramids which are 8 ft. tall and weigh about 10 tons. There are also 26 large pyramids which are 18 ft tall and weigh about 18 tons. Finally, 25 concrete disk reefs, weighing about 3 tons each will be used. In total, about 980 tons of engineered concrete artificial reef material will be placed in the permitted areas. This is similar tonnage we would see if we deployed multiple retired vessels. The site will offer a variety of fishing and diving opportunities.

The different reef module types will support a diversity of marine life, including different fish species and sizes. Small baitfish and larger migratory fish begin to utilize new deployed artificial reefs almost immediately. Prized reef fish could be found as fishing season opens up next year. However, it takes about 3 to 5 years for artificial reefs to “grow” and reach full productivity.

Many partners worked on this project, including the Bay County Board of Commissioners which applied and received the funding. Additional logistical support for the deployment is being provided by the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association and UF/IFAS Extension Bay County. The local reef building community have supported this project from its inception. Early, these experienced voices have provided direction to location and helped meet and overcome project challenges along the way. Thanks, and congratulations to everyone!

To learn more about Bay County’s Artificial Reef Program and our NRDA deployments please visit https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/bay/sea-grant and click on “Bay County Artificial Reefs” in the webpage side bar. You can also contact Scott Jackson at LSJ@ufl.edu or 850-784-6105.

An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Nick T. Place, Dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices.

Quick Videos representing Deployment – 10-26-2020

Bay County NRDA Phase 2 Load 1 of 6 – Deployed Monday October 26, 2020

Bay County NRDA Phase 2 Load 2 of 6 – Deployed Sunday November 1, 2020

Bay County NRDA Phase 2 Load 3 of 6 – Deployed Sunday November 15, 2020

Bay County NRDA Phase 2 Load 4 of 6 – Deployed Monday, November 23, 2020

Links to News Stories about this deployment:

WMBB Channel 13 News (Click Here)

Panama City News Herald (Click Here)

Bay County NRDA Phase 2 Load 5 of 6 – To be loaded Tuesday December 1, 2020 and then will await weather window to deploy (Last updated 11/25/2020)

Learn more about Bay County’s other Artificial Reefs

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