Artificial Reef Program News (cont'd.)
Phase II deployments are anticipated in Fall 2025!
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Coordinates for Phase I are now available!
March 19, 2025
Phase I of the 2024/2025 NRDA project has been successfully completed. In partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Bay County deployed thirty (30) Super Reefs in federal waters within the LAARS B permitted area. The reefs were installed over three trips this winter by Walter Marine. Each 18-ton concrete structure offers unique habitat complexity—most stand 15 feet tall, with select units featuring 10-foot vertical extension poles to reach a total height of 25 feet and attract pelagic species like amberjack. All Super Reefs are designed with layered EcoDiscs to support juvenile fish and baitfish. Reefs are located southwest of St. Andrew Bay Pass, ranging from 17 to 32.5 nautical miles offshore, and are aligned along the same longitude for easier navigation.
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!
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 a depth of 130 feet within LAARS B, part of Bay County’s permitted artificial reef zones, and is a meaningful addition to our growing network of artificial reefs throughout our local waters.
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
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.
Read the Professional Mariner article here:
Eastern Shipbuilding helping students create artificial reefs
April 18, 2023
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.
Bay County Artificial Reef Program Goals
We seek to enhance user experiences for our various marine user groups.
The Bay County Artificial Reef Management Plan is designed to guide the efforts in Bay County for the implementation of a successful Artificial Reef Program.
This plan embraces the following goals and objectives established by the National and State Artificial Reef Plans:
- Ensure all reef construction has biological justification to meet present and future fisheries management and resource protection needs.
- Minimize conflicts and negative effects on existing fisheries.
- Use materials that are proven to have long-term compatibility with the marine environment.
- Monitor reefs to help determine efficacy of materials, reef success, and compliance with permitting terms and conditions.
- Incorporate monitoring and scientific research findings into future reef construction to produce targeted results.
Thank you for visiting!
Updates for all deployments can be found on our Facebook page:
UF IFAS Extension Bay County | Panama City FL | Facebook
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Bay County Artificial Reefs
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