First Super Reefs in Florida Deployed in Mexico Beach

News > 2014

Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association has biggest deployment ever
and is first in Florida to deploy new Super Reefs!

The Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association (MBARA) partnered with the City of Mexico Beach and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to complete a new $183,000 artificial reef construction project off the coast of Mexico Beach and Port St Joe on 31 March and 1 April 2014.? This is the largest project undertaken by MBARA to date.?

The deployment was made possible by a $120,000 grant from the Florida FWC and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, a $55,000 grant match from MBARA, and $8,000 from private donors.? These materials were placed in 18 new reef sites; in addition two memorial reefs were expanded with the private funds.?

The reef structures included 33 Florida Limestone Artificial Reefs, 15 Grouper Reef with Ecosystem units, 10 Super Reefs and 1 Florida Special Reef distributed at sites from 1.5 to 15 miles offshore.? Coordinates will be published on the MBARA website.

The 10 newly designed Super Reefs are 17-25 feet tall and are the first to be deployed in Florida.? They have been placed in depths from 85 to 104 feet to meet minimum clearance requirements.

 

This is another great accomplishment in the MBARA's goal to develop Mexico Beach's permitted artificial areas with patch reefs every 1/4 mile. ?These wonderful habitats are only made possible by fundraising, grants from the FWC and US Fish & Wildlife Service Sport-fish Restoration Fund, sponsor support, and donations from citizens and members. ?With continued and increasing support, the MBARA will continue to build more reefs improving our fisheries and marine habitat for everyone to enjoy. ?You can help build more reefs by becoming a sponsor, member, or donate today by visiting WWW.MBARA.ORG.

Bob Cox, MBARA President (above left), and Bill Horn, FWC Artificial Reef Program (above right), oversaw the deployment with help from other MBARA volunteers.

For more information, please contact MBARA President Bob Cox at 850-527-6306 or rcox@mchsi.com.

Story by Bob Cox
Photos courtesy MBARA by Carol Cox and Bonita Thompson