.gif)
Bay County Artificial Reefs
This page is updated regularly to reflect new public deployments in state and federal waters. Please take time to explore and check back often for project announcements!
*UPDATES:
🔗 NRDA Reefs
October 1, 2024
Phase I of the 2024/2025 NRDA project was approved by the Bay County Board of County Commissioners! Walter Marine will deploy thirty (30) Super Reefs in federal waters of the LAARS B permitted area this winter. All reefs can be accessed southwest from the St. Andrew Bay Pass. Distances range from 17 nautical miles to the most northerly site, to 32.5 miles to the southernmost reef.
The reef locations were designed to be navigated along the same longitude for ease of access. Phase II is on the horizon, with deployments anticipated in Summer/Fall 2025!!
🔗 RESTORE Project
Phase II coming soon!!
June 11, 2024
Phase I of RESTORE materials were deployed in Spring of 2024! A total of eight (8) new patch reef sites were constructed in the SAARS M permitted area. The new artificial reef sites reside approximately 6 nautical miles southwest from the St. Andrew Bay Pass - plenty of good fishing spots just in time for the fall fishing season!
🔗 The G.D. Blomberg Memorial Reef (pictured above)
April 30, 2024
The G.D. Blomberg Memorial Reef is a 65-foot aluminum patrol boat that serves as a tribute to the father of Hans Blomberg. Hans was the Technical Manager for hopper dredging at Weeks Marine, where he oversaw commercial dredge operations across the United States, focusing on coastal restoration. The memorial vessel now rests at 130 feet in LAARS B, and is an honorable addition to our series of artificial reefs throughout the Gulf of Mexico!
The retired 65-foot Swiftships patrol boat is the newest vessel to become an artificial reef. The vessel was deployed in the federally permitted LAARS B area:
- Latitude: 29° 40.797’ N
- Longitude: 85° 57.769’ W
🔗 Eastern Shipbuilding and BCARA Student Reef Partnership
October 24, 2024
Eastern Shipbuilding officially announced commencement of the second annual Coastline Initiative! Students from welding programs across Bay and Gulf counties are on the forefront of innovation and marine habitat enhancement. Designs from the schools are currently under review for approval, with anticipated deployments in Spring 2025!
Read the Professional Mariner article here:
Eastern Shipbuilding helping students create artificial reefs
April 18, 2023
Eastern Shipbuilding (ESB) partnered with the Bay County Artificial Reef Association (BCARA) in Fall 2022 to promote welding programs in various high schools and colleges around Bay and Gulf Counties. Wakulla High School, Wewahitchka (Wewa) High School, Port St. Joe (PSJ) High School, Haney Technical College, and Chipola College submitted designs for artificial reef construction. PSJ and Wewa submitted a combined project and in Spring 2023, four reefs were deployed in Bay County's LAARS B permitted area. The reefs are now flourishing!
*BCARA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit independent of Bay County's Artificial Reef Program.
