List of U.S. state artificial reefs program
Creation of the National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–623) led to states wanting to create artificial reefs needed to create an artificial reefs program.
- U.S. state artificial reef programs
- Alabama: The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources[1][2][3] Neptune VK826 oil rig ("Beer Can Rig") is located 60 nautical miles off the Alabama coast. Over time the artificial reef becomes covered by epifaunal organisms such as oysters, musselss, barnacles, tunicates, sponges, and corals. This increases small-scale changes in the surface relief of the structure which provides habitat for crabs, worms, sea urchins, blennies, and other animals.[4]
- Mississippi: Mississippi Artificial Reefs Bureau[5][6]
- Delaware: Delaware Artificial Reef Program[7] Delaware has fourteen artificial reef sites in Delaware Bay and along the Atlantic Coast.[8]
- North Carolina: North Carolina Artificial Reefs Program[9]
- Florida: Florida Artificial Reefs[10]
- South Carolina: South Carolina Artificial Reefs Program[11]
- Georgia: Georgia's Offshore Artificial Reefs Program[12]
- Texas: Texas Artificial Reefs Interactive[13]
- Louisiana: Louisiana artificial reefs Program.[14]
- Virginia: Virginia Artificial Reef Program[15]
- California: California Artificial Reef Program[16][17] (501(c)3 nonprofit organization)
- Massachusetts[18]
- New York[19]
- New Jersey: The Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife has 17 artificial reef sites located from 2 to 25 miles offshore.[20][21]
- Maryland: The Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland as well as the Maryland Artificial Reef Program and the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative, following guidelines of the Artificial Reef Management Plan for Maryland.[22]
- Hawaii: Hawaii began exploring artificial reefs in the 1950s. In 1961 the first artificial reef was created at Maunalua Bay In 1963 two more artificial reefs were created and all three primarily used car bodies. From 1964 to 1985, concrete pipes were primarily used. From 1985 to 1991 concrete and tire modules were used as well as various concrete material, barges, and even large truck tires. Any use that includes tires has been deprecated since 1991 due to environmental concerns.[23] Since 1991 concrete z-modules have been used as well as barges, concrete material, and small vessels.[24]
References
[edit]- ^ "Alabama Artificial Reefs Program". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
- ^ "Alabama Gulf Coast Reef and Restoration Foundation". Alabama Gulf Coast Reef & Restoration Foundation (NGO). Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ "New offshore reef site to open soon for fishing, recreation, through Alabama's Rigs to Reefs program". Outdoor Alabama. August 8, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ "Decommissioned Oil Rig to Boost Artificial Reef System". Gulf Shores News. August 5, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ "Mississippi Artificial Reefs Bureau". Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.
- ^ "Mississippi Offshore Artificial Reef and Habitat Enhancement" (PDF). Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GEBF) (NGO). Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ "Delaware Artificial Reef Program". Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
- ^ "Artificial Reef Program". eregulations.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ "North Carolina Artificial Reefs Program". North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
- ^ "Florida Artificial Reefs". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
- ^ "South Carolina Artificial Reefs Program". South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
- ^ "Georgia's Offshore Artificial Reefs Program". Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division.
- ^ "Texas Artificial Reefs Interactive Mapping". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
- ^ "Louisiana Artificial Reef Program". Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
- ^ "Virginia Artificial Reef Program". Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
- ^ "California Artificial Reef Program". California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- ^ "California Artificial Reef Enhancement (CARE) Program". California Artificial Reef Enhancement Program.
- ^ "Massachusetts Artificial Reefs". Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF).
- ^ "Artificial Reefs". New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
- ^ Honachefsky, Nick (December 2022). "Hot Spot: NJ Artificial Reef Sites". The Fisherman. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ Goldsmith, Willy (May 28, 2020). "New Jersey's Artificial Fishing Reef Sites". onthewater.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ "Living Reef Action Campaign". Coastal Conservation Association, Maryland. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ Huriash, Lisa J. "'We'll never be done': The growing challenge to remove thousands of car tires from ocean floor". Science X Daily (Phys.org). Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ "Artificial Reefs and FADs". Division of Aquatic Resources. Retrieved January 4, 2025.