Alabama’s Artificial Reefs A Fishing Information Guide C O N S E R V A T I O N A N D NA T U R A L R E S O U R C E S M A R I N E R E S O U R C E S D I V I S I O N Marine Resources Division ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES Marine Resources Division ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES • Offshore and Inshore Reefs • Reef Location Charts • GPS Coordinates • Reef Construction Protocol • Program History Revised 2009
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Alabama's Artificial Reefs A Fishing Information Guide
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Alabama’s Artificial ReefsA Fishing Information Guide
CO
NS
ERV
ATION AND NATURAL RESO
UR
CE
S
MA
RINE
RESOURCES DIVIS
ION
Marine Resources DivisionALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Marine Resources DivisionALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
• Offshore and Inshore Reefs• Reef Location Charts• GPS Coordinates• Reef Construction Protocol• Program History
Revised 2009
ALABAMA ARTIFICIAL REEF GENERAL PERMIT AREAS
ALABAMA’SARTIFICIAL REEF PROGRAM
Alabama has one of the largest artificialreef programs in the world. The naturalbottom of offshore Alabama is apredominately flat sand/mud type bottom.This bottom type attracts very few fish thatare either commercially or recreationallyvaluable. However, it has long been knownthat if vertical relief is created on this bottom,many reef fish such as snappers andgroupers will be produced. In fact, artificialreefs can be created that over time willappear as natural reefs with similarcommunities of encrusting organisms andbait fish. As various encrusting organismssuch as corals and sponges cover theartificial reef material, small animals take upresidence. On-going research withinAlabama’s artificial reef general permit areasindicates that juvenile red snapper recruitto new, uninhabited artificial reefs, agingwith the reef, and recruiting to the fishery atan appropriate size. At that point the artificialreef functions as a natural reef.
Alabama's artificial reef building programstarted in 1953 when the Orange BeachCharter Boat Association asked for theauthority to place 250 car bodies off BaldwinCounty, Alabama. This proved to be verysuccessful and in the years since, manydifferent types of materials have been placedoffshore of Alabama. These have includedadditional car bodies, culverts, bridge rubble,barges, boats and planes. In 1974, in anexcellent example of State/Federalcooperation, several "ghost-fleeted" libertyships were sunk in five locations off Mobileand Baldwin Counties in 80-93 feet of water.
In 1987, a general permit was issued bythe U. S. Army Corps of Engineerscreating specific areas offshore ofAlabama for the creation of artificial reefs.These were created in order to provide areasfor these materials in order to coordinatewith other users of the offshore area. In 1987the areas encompassed almost 800 squaremiles.
In 1993, the U. S. military in addressing theneed to de-militarize obsolete battle tanksrealized that immersion in sea water wasan acceptable method. The idea waspresented to the Marine Resources Divisionand development of an operation planbegan. Reef-Ex is the program name
SAFETY FAIRWAY
SAFETYFAIRW
AY
SAFETYFAIRW
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Dauphin Is.
Mobile Bay
Farewell Buoy
Gulf Shores
Ft. Morgan
Gu
l fo
fM e x i c o
HUGH SWINGLEGENERAL
PERMIT AREA
• 30°
03.
50’
87
° 32.
30’
• 29° 34.00’ 87° 32.30’
• 29° 24.10’
88° 01.00’
• 29° 25.50’
87° 50.20’
29° 35.50’88° 01.50’ •
29° 55.00’88° 07.00’ •
29° 45.20’• 88° 02.00’
29° 5
5.00
’
88° 0
2.50
’ • • 29° 55.00’
87° 55.50’
30° 03.00’• 87° 59.50’
• 29° 29.20’ 87° 32.30’
30° 03.00’88° 07.00’ •
30° 0
2.20’
• 87° 5
2.70’
• 29° 52.00’ 87° 47.00’
29° 47.20’ •
87° 46.50’
• 29° 55.00’ 87° 47.25 ’
• 29° 16.60’ 87° 32.30’
DON KELLEYSOUTH
GENERALPERMIT AREA
TATUM - WINNNORTH GENERAL
PERMIT AREA
TATUM - WINNSOUTH GENERAL
PERMIT AREA
SAFETYFAIRW
AY
29° 29.00’87° 45.00’ •
SAFETYFAIRW
AY
• 29° 25.50’
87° 50.20’
29° 26.40’87° 44.90’ •
29° 4
3.10’
•
87° 4
6.00’
DON KELLEYNORTH
GENERALPERMIT AREA
0
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10SCALE - MILES
associated this activity. In 1994, one-hundred M-60 military tanks were deployedas artificial reefs in depths of 70 to 110 feet of water within the Hugh Swingleand Don Kelley North permit areas. The conservative estimate for the life spanof the tanks is 50 years as artificial reefs.
In late 1997, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers authorized an expansion ofAlabama's artificial reef construction areas to allow for greater freedom in reefplacement and greater variety in depth. The combined area for all reef permitzones now encompasses approximately 1260 square miles. At the same time,the protocol for reef construction was modified. This modification limited thetypes of materials that can be used to construct artificial reefs. Enforcementof the protocol and placement of reefs is a joint effort of the Marine ResourcesEnforcement Section, the Alabama Marine Police Division, and the U. S. CoastGuard.
Perdido Pass
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PUBLIC REEFS - DON KELLEY NORTH GENERAL PERMIT AREA
Flora-Bama 1Flora-Bama 2Reynold's Ready Mix USA Pope #1Reynold's Ready Mix USA Butts #2Reynold's Ready Mix USA #3Reynold's Ready Mix USA #4Reynold's Ready Mix USA #5Joe Raley Builders - Big MommaJoe Raley BuildersTop Gun Tackle #1Top Gun Tackle #2Home Port Marina #1Home Port Marina #2Home Port Marina #3Home Port Marina #4Home Port Marina #5Brett Robinson #1Brett Robinson #2Brett Robinson #3Brett Robinson #4Brett Robinson #5Brett Robinson #6Brett Robinson #7Brett Robinson #8Brett Robinson #9Brett Robinson #10Brett Robinson #11Brett Robinson #12Brett Robinson #13Brett Robinson #14Brett Robinson #15Brett Robinson #16Brett Robinson #17Brett Robinson #18Brett Robinson #19Brett Robinson #20J & M Tackle #1J & M Tackle #2J & M Tackle #3J & M Tackle #4J & M Tackle #5Blue Water Ship Stores #1Blue Water Ship Stores #2The Rod Room #1The Rod Room #2Zeke's Landing #1Zeke's Landing #2Zeke's Landing #3Zeke's Landing #4Zeke's Landing #5Zeke's Landing #6Zeke's Landing #7Zeke's Landing #8Zeke's Landing #9Zeke's Landing #10Foley Beach Express #1Foley Beach Express #2International Insurance - Kit SteberInternational Insurance - Drew SteberCity of Orange Beach- Albacore IICity of Orange Beach- Annie GirlCity of Orange Beach- AquastarCity of Orange Beach- Ashley ReeneCity of Orange Beach- Big AdventureCity of Orange Beach- Boll WeevilCity of Orange Beach- C.A.T.City of Orange Beach- C-ROSECity of Orange Beach- Catch-ItCity of Orange Beach- Chippers ClipperCity of Orange Beach- Class ActCity of Orange Beach- Cool BreezeCity of Orange Beach- Cool ChangeCity of Orange Beach- CrosstieCity of Orange Beach- DistractionCity of Orange Beach- Doug OutCity of Orange Beach- Fairwater IICity of Orange Beach- Fish'n FoolCity of Orange Beach- Fish TrapCity of Orange Beach- GetawayCity of Orange Beach- Gulf RebelCity of Orange Beach- Hey Boy IICity of Orange Beach- Hot SpotCity of Orange Beach- IntimidatorCity of Orange Beach- IntruderCity of Orange Beach- Island GirlCity of Orange Beach- Jamie GCity of Orange Beach- JoyceCity of Orange Beach- Lady DCity of Orange Beach- Mamas MoneyCity of Orange Beach- Miss CelesteCity of Orange Beach- MistyCity of Orange Beach- NecessityCity of Orange Beach- OutcastCity of Orange Beach- Reef ChiefCity of Orange Beach- Reel SurpriseCity of Orange Beach- Hip TideCity of Orange Beach- Robin LynneChris Myers NissanChris Myers Auto MallConvention & Visitors Bureau #1Convention & Visitors Bureau #2Convention & Visitors Bureau #3Convention & Visitors Bureau #4Convention & Visitors Bureau #5Convention & Visitors Bureau #6Convention & Visitors Bureau #7Convention & Visitors Bureau #8Convention & Visitors Bureau #9
Convention & Visitors Bureau #10Convention & Visitors Bureau #11Convention & Visitors Bureau #12Convention & Visitors Bureau #13Convention & Visitors Bureau #14Convention & Visitors Bureau #15The Reef Maker #1The Reef Maker #2Radcliff Economy & Marine #1ValvTect #1RE/MAX of Gulf Shores #1RE/MAX of Gulf Shores #2RE/MAX of Gulf Shores #3RE/MAX of Gulf Shores #4RE/MAX of Gulf Shores #5Kaiser Realty Inc. #1Kaiser Realty Inc. #2Kaiser Realty Inc. #3Kaiser Realty Inc. #4Kaiser Realty Inc. #5Caribe Resort #1Caribe Resort #2Tacky Jacks #1Tacky Jacks #2Orange Beach Auto & Marine #1Orange Beach Auto & Marine #2Live Bait ILive Bait IILive Bait IIILive Bait IVLive Bait VBaldwin Co. E.M.C. leaderBaldwin Co. E.M.C. memberBaldwin Co. E.M.C. communityBaldwin Co. E.M.C. cooperativeBaldwin Co. E.M.C. environmentalCity of Orange Beach- Sea SprayCity of Orange Beach- Shady LadyBud #1Ultra #1BBD #1Busch #1Lauren #1Heavy GravyMiss SallyCummins Quantum HoleMid South SpotChristian MahlstedtLucas MahlstedtAmelieWhitneyMikee'sThe Shrimp BasketMcCarron Insurance Group #1Sally's Fishing HoleTom Bagwell ReefWilliam Radcliff ReefCapt Sunny Trimble Memorial-War EagleL.H. Washington Memorial - War EagleOutcast MarinaOutcast MarinaJim Brown ConstructionSabel Steel #1Sabel Steel #2Salzman Farms #1Salzman Farms #2Sandy Wade ReefSanRoc Cay ReefRM #1RM #2The Sportsman SkiffSportman MarinaTrent Marina #1Trent Marina #2Vision Bank #1Vision Bank #2Zeke's Boat Sales #1Zeke's Boat Sales #2Dora's ReefRick's ReefJames' ReefNina's ReefWilly's ReefLCPL Philip J. Shermer, IIIWilliam L. MarksJohn C. Hope IIIRobert C. BairdJohn M. TurnerVinyl SolutionsVisual EffectsFish Camp Restaurants #1Fish Camp Restaurants #2Performance Contractors Reef # 1Brandon Favre ReefOutcast Bait & Tackle #1Outcast Bait & Tackle #2Outcast Bait & Tackle #3Outcast Bait & Tackle #4Outcast Bait & Tackle #5First National Bank #1First National Bank #2Coast Marine #1Coast Marine #2Schenck ReefSchwartz ReefSam’s Spot #1Sam’s Spot #2
The Rod Room # 6The Rod Room # 7The Rod Room # 8Top Gun Tackle #5Top Gun Tackle #6Tracey Thompson #3Tracey Thompson #4Turquoise Place #1Turquoise Place #2Turquoise Place #3Turquoise Place #4Reynolds Ready Mix - Walter Pope 4Reynolds Ready Mix - Walter Pope 5Reynolds Ready Mix - Walter Pope 6Reynolds Ready Mix - Walter Pope 7Reynolds Ready Mix - Harold Butts 4Reynolds Ready Mix - Harold Butts 5Reynolds Ready Mix - Harold Butts 6Reynolds Ready Mix - Harold Butts 7Vision Bank #5Vision Bank #6Vision Bank #7Vision Bank #8Water Ways Boat SalesDown Under Dive ShopWest Marine #1West Marine #2Whitney Bank #1Whitney Bank #2Whitney Bank #3Whitney Bank #4Whitney Bank #5Whitney Bank #6Whitney Bank #7Whitney Bank #8Wadeley 100Wadeley 200Zac's ReefMary's ReefZeke's Charter Fleet #1Zeke's Charter Fleet #2Zeke's Charter Fleet #3Zeke's Charter Fleet #4Zeke's Charter Fleet #5Zeke's Charter Fleet #6Zeke's Charter Fleet #7Zeke's Charter Fleet #8Zeke's Charter Fleet #9Zeke's Charter Fleet #10Zeke's Charter Fleet #11Zeke's Charter Fleet #12Zeke's Charter Fleet #13Zeke's Charter Fleet #14Zeke's Charter Fleet #15Zeke's Charter Fleet #16
Lester's Restaurant #4Lester's Restaurant #5Lester's Restaurant #6Wind DeductiblePolicy ExclusionsMediationMeyer Real Estate #1Meyer Real Estate #2Meyer Real Estate #3Meyer Real Estate #4Dr. Robert H. MuddGere Austill, Sr.Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle 1SlimMoyer Ford #1Moyer Ford #2Rachel MoyerDevin MoyerRone NegusCoonie NegusOcean Waves Sunglasses #1Ocean Waves Sunglasses #2Ocean Waves Sunglasses #3Ocean Waves Sunglasses #4Orange Beach Auto & Marine #5Orange Beach Auto & Marine #6M. Radcliff, Sr.N.Q. AdamsCapt. Jim CoxPalmer BedsoleMickey FogleLynn SilerPete FrostBrenda BryantJack CooperPrudential CooperOutcast Marina Charter Dock ('07)Capt. Sonny Trimble Reef #2Cindy's Fishing Hole (We'll See)Outcast Marina #4Penn Reels #1Penn Reels #2Penn Reels #3Penn Reels #4Penn Reels #5Penn Reels #6PBR/VoyagersPBR/David JacksonPBR/John MoloneyPBR/Greg PerrymanTracey Thompson #1Tracey Thompson #2Capt. Carl Raffield Reef #1Capt. Carl Raffield Reef #2Capt. Gene Raffield Reef #1Capt. Gene Raffield Reef #2Randal & Colby Simmons #1Randal & Colby Simmons #2RE/MAX of Foley #1RE/MAX of Foley #2RE/MAX of Gulf Shores #6RE/MAX of Gulf Shores #7RE/MAX of Orange Beach #1RE/MAX of Orange Beach #2RE/MAX of Orange Beach #3RE/MAX of Orange Beach #4Reel Surprise Charters #1Reel Surprise Charters #2Reel Yacht Sales & Service #1Reel yacht Sales & Service #2Romar Marina #1Romar Marina #2Specchio ReefSkippy ReefSam's Spot #8Sam's Spot #9Sam's Spot #10Sam's Spot #11Sam's Spot #12Sam's Spot #13Sam's Spot #14Sam's Spot #15SanRoc Cay MarinaBear Point Marina Reef #2Sandy Wade Reef #3Carolyn WadeSaunders Yachtworks #1Saunders Yachtworks #2Saunders Yachtworks #3Saunders Yachtworks #4The Shrimp BasketMikee's Seafood RestaurantSpence ReefCahoon ReefS. Baldwin Reg. Med. Center #1S. Baldwin Reg. Med. Center #2Lauren S ReefAulbree H ReefVictoria A ReefSamantha M ReefSportsman's Marine in Fairhope #3Sportsman's Marine in Fairhope #4Sportsman's Marine in Fairhope #5Sportsman's Marine in Fairhope #6"Sunny" 105.7-FM #1"Sunny" 105.7-FM #2"Sunny" 105.7-FM #3Kathryn & Lee HaganTacky Jack's BushwackerTacky Jack's Farmers OmeletTacky Jack's Mexican GarbageTacky Jack's Bloody MaryReefmaker - MilesReefmaker - LiamReefmaker - DeDeReefmaker - TurgeauThe Rod Room # 5 12
GULF OF MEXICOGULF OF MEXICO
DON KELLEY SOUTH
GENERALPERMIT AREA
TATUM - WINNNORTH
GENERALPERMIT AREA
DON KELLEYNORTH
GENERALPERMITAREA
TATUM - WINNSOUTH
GENERAL PERMIT AREA
BALDWIN COUNTY TROLLING CORRIDOR AREA
Liberty Linens
Blue Water
Chamber 1
Flora-Bama
E.M.C.
South Trust Bank
Harry Allen MemJim Robbins
First Gulf Bank
Bowen Family
Callaway
Mexico Rock
Annan Mem. Reef
Bon Secour EqColeman Marine
Kaiser RealtyJ & M Tackle
Regions Bank
Allen Reef(Liberty Ship)
Perdido Bridge
Perdido Bridge
Whitney Bank
Chamber 2
Chamber 3 Chamber 4
Pavilion 3
Pavilion 1
HUGHSWINGLEGENERAL
PERMIT AREA
Allen Reef 30°07.835 87°31.790Perdido Pass Bridge 30°08.446 87°33.956Perdido Pass Bridge 30°08.565 87°34.270Gulf State Park Pavilion 1 30°07.737 87°32.059Gulf State Park Pavilion 2 30°08.701 87°32.814Gulf State Park Pavilion 3 30°08.749 87°33.633Gulf State Park Pavilion 4 30°08.897 87°34.323Chamber 1 30°13.729 87°32.928Chamber 2 30°13.760 87°32.918Chamber 3 30°13.733 87°32.941Chamber 4 30°13.768 87°32.946Jim Robbins 30°08.981 87°34.341Whitney Bank 30°08.878 87°34.256Harry Allen Memorial 30°09.002 87°34.196Doc of the Bay 30°08.951 87°34.119Mexico Rock 30°08.976 87°34.113Sam’s Spot 30°08.906 87°34.001Armand Annan Memorial 30°08.897 87°33.972Bon Secour Equipment 30°08.768 87°33.852Hazel's Reef 30°08.767 87°33.802Kaiser Realty 30°08.732 87°33.638Coleman Marine 30°08.781 87°33.478J & M Tackle 30°08.708 87°33.338Outcast Charter Docks 30°08.700 87°33.261Regions Bank 30°08.640 87°33.036Blue Water 30°08.519 87°32.853Fred’s Place 30°08.592 87°32.726Callaway 30°08.706 87°32.774First Gulf Bank 30°08.752 87°32.692Bowen Family 30°08.867 87°32.592Liberty Linens 30°08.758 87°32.503Plantation Resort 30°08.207 87°32.376SouthTrust Bank 30°08.006 87°32.341Flora-Bama 30°07.775 87°32.154Bottom Line 30°07.934 87°32.104E.M.C 30°07.860 87°31.978Ray Callaway Memorial 30°07.908 87°31.913Zeke’s Landing Marina 30°08.732 87°33.560
13
Note: A total of 208 Red Snapper World Championship (RSWC)concrete reef modules from the 2007 deployment are located inthe Baldwin County Trolling Corridor General Permit Area. Modulenumbers 1 through 180 and 318 through 345 are located atapproximately 100 foot intervals along the entire length of thecorridor. The DGPS coordinates and sponsorship informationfor these reefs is found on pages 11 and 12 of this brochure.
Plantation Resort
Ray Callaway
Fred’s Place
Sam’s Spot
Hazel’s ReefZeke’s Landing
Bottom Line
Pavilion 2
Doc of the Bay
Pavilion 4
1 - 40
52 - 60
41 - 51
61 - 70
71 - 79
318 - 326
80 - 103
104 - 180
327 - 345
RSWC* (Red Snapper World Championship)Visit: www.redsnapperworldchampionship.com
State Record Red SnapperMr. Melvin Dunn - 44 lbs. 12 oz.
UNOCAL #254Deployment
GULF OF MEXICOGULF OF MEXICO
TATUM - WINNNORTH
GENERALPERMIT AREA
DON KELLEYNORTH
GENERALPERMITAREA
GULF OF MEXICOGULF OF MEXICO
DON KELLEY SOUTH
GENERALPERMIT AREA
TATUM - WINNSOUTH
GENERAL PERMIT AREA
Area Enlarged
HUGHSWINGLEGENERAL
PERMIT AREA
14
INSHORE FISHING REEFS
obile Bay’s ample surface area – about 450 square miles – and its shallow waters... coupled with the influx of copious amounts of freshwater and nutrients from rivers and tributaries, produce some of the very best saltwater gamefish populations to be found anywhere. Speckled trout and white trout,redfish and black drum, sheepshead and flounder all abound in local waters. Head to one of Alabama’s 21inshore artificial fishing reefs and there you will find an inshore fishing experience that is second to none onthe Gulf Coast.
Prior to the construction of formal fish attractors in Mobile Bay, knowledgeable local fishermen understoodand appreciated the community relationship between the Bay’s prolific oyster reefs and exploitable fishpopulations. First, there’s something structurally different about an oyster reef from the surrounding sandand mud bottoms. Oyster reefs are usually raised ever so slightly above the surrounding aquatic terrain,providing linear habitat and home range anchors for schools of predatory fish. This reef structure would attractschools of fish even if devoid of biological activity. But an oyster reef is anything but devoid of life. In additionto the oysters, dozens of types of aquatic invertebrates call the “nooks and crannies” of the oyster reef home,filling each biological niche. Barnacles, mussels, worms and bryozoans, along with a variety of crabs andshrimp abound, taking advantage of the large variety of available food supported by the oyster reef ecosystem.
In past geologic history, when the sea stretched much farther inland than today, oyster and marine fishpopulations thrived in areas which are now human habitat. As the seas retreated, so did the oysters andfish, slowly moving southward out of what is now the Mobile Delta. Good oyster habitat, hard bottom andmedium salinity, continued to move southward as sea level fell and river discharge increased. This progressionof natural events created a chain of oyster reefs all the way down both sides of the Bay, and left behind vastdeposits of shell. Many of these old reefs continued to support marginal populations of oysters, but typicallyonly enough for very localized harvest and marketing strategies. Man’s agricultural activities upstate dumpedheavy loads of sediment into the waters of the Bay, and rapid human encroachment into the Bay area coupledwith dredging and channelization changed the flow patterns of the Bay, impacting most of the middle bayand particularly the eastern shore reefs, including the once prolific reefs in Bon Secour Bay.
For the Alabama Marine Resources Division, enhancement of these relict oyster areas seemed logical andresponsible. An idea was developed to ring marginally productive oyster reefs in the bay with some form ofhard, durable material, and fill the areas with oyster cultch such as shell or crushed limestone for verticalrelief. All that was needed was the appropriate material, something hard, cheap, and durable. It was believedthat such an enhancement could help revitalize oyster production in these relict reef areas, possibly resuscitatingan oyster industry which made the Bon Secour area famous in days past. Additionally, the agency anticipatedimproved sportfishing at the sites due to increased vertical relief and biological diversity. The agency didnot anticipate just how good the fishing would become!
In the spring and summer of 1996 various concrete rubble became available from the demolition of the oldMobile Bay Causeway bridges (Tensaw, Blakely, and Apalachee rivers). The Marine Resources Division withthe help of local contractors and conservation groups decided to build fish attractors with the material. Thiswas precisely the material needed for the ringing of the oyster reefs that had earlier been envisioned by theagency. Now was the time to move ahead with what has since proven to be the most comprehensive fishingenhancement project in the history of the Bay and the finest example of inshore fishery enhancement in thenation. Your purchase of motorboat fuel and fishing tackle helps pay for these construction efforts throughthe Wallop-Breaux funding program.
Refer to the map within this document. Shellbank, Denton, Grey Cane and Fish River reefs are dual purposesites serving as both fishing reefs and as experimental oyster reef rehabilitation areas. These three areasreceived oyster cultch material (crushed limestone) during the summer of 1998 and fall of 1999. All of thesesites are producing spectacular catches of speckled trout and redfish. The water depth above all the constructionmaterial is approximately 3.5 feet at mean low water (MLW). Anglers should exercise caution at all timeswhen approaching these sites, but particularly during times of extreme low (winter) tidal conditions.
The Marine Resources Division and its industry and public partners are proud to be involved in such tremendousenhancement of our oyster and sportfish resources in the Mobile Bay area. The agency is committed tocontinuing this trend, sprinkling great fishing areas and, where possible, enhanced oystering areas withinthe reach of even the most modestly outfitted angler.
M
And where such abundant food is available, you find gamefish...and lots of them!
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ALABAMA’S INSHORE FISHING REEFS
A total of 30 inshore fishing reefsare located within Mobile and BonSecour Bays, Mississippi Sound,and the Perdido System. Concretebridge materials, culvert pipes,concrete roof panels, oyster shellsand crushed limestone were utilizedas reef materials. Five reefs areexperimental dual-purpose sites,providing excellent inshore fishingwhile improving oyster productionon nonproductive relict oyster reefs.In addition, seven gas productionplatforms in lower Mobile Bay havebeen enhanced with limestone rockfish attracting pads.
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Battles Wharf Reef30°29.634’ - 87°55.918’
Bayou Cour Reef30°17.945’ - 87°48.427’
Bayou St. John Reef30°17.561’ - 87°31.960’
Bender - Austal Reef30°31.642’ - 88°02.877’
Brookley Hole Reef30°37.965’ - 88°03.119’
“Buddy” Beiser Reef30°35.269’ - 87°57.002’
CCA #130°14.162’ - 88°17.607’
CCA #230°14.411’ - 88°16.380’
CCA #330°14.709’ - 88°14.508’
Choctaw Pass Reef30°39.750’ - 88°01.500’
Dell Williamson Reef30°36.020’ - 87°55.060’
Denton Reef30°24.531’ - 88°03.989’
Fish River Reef30°19.705’ - 87°49.830’
Ft. Morgan Barge Reef30°14.002’ - 88°01.226’
Lynn Dent Boykin Reef30°16.390’ - 88°05.770’
Ono Island Reef30° 18.167’ - 87° 29.404’
P. Grey Cane, Jr. Reef30°27.460’ - 87°55.940’
Rockpile30°20.011’ - 87°29.912’
Ross Point Reef30°19.436’ - 87°30.668’
Shellbank Reef30°15.716’ - 87°51.682’
Shrimpboat Reef30°18.332’ - 88°16.394’
Upper Wreck30°23.230’ - 87°53.111’
Zundel’s Landing30°28.700’ - 87°55.600’
ExxonMobil 76A-AUX30°15.250’ - 88°03.120’
Alex Maisel Memorial30°17.802’ – 88°02.731’
ExxonMobil 63AB30°17.511’ – 87°59.739’
Legacy Platform30°16.823’ – 87°58.080’
Legacy Satellite 615-130°16.837’ – 87°59.104’
Legacy Satellite 615-330°16.012’ – 87°58.429’
Legacy Satellite 615-430°17.285’ – 87°57.326’
CCA #1 CCA #2CCA #3
AlexMaisel
GAS PLATFORM FISHING ENHANCEMENT - MATERIAL LOCATIONS
Gas Platform Fishery Habitat Enhancement Program
Substrate stabilization materials originally placed around gas platform locationsin lower Mobile Bay once provided excellent benthic invertebrate habitat,supporting large populations of predatory fishes. Years of storms and propellerwash have covered or moved these materials, and fishing success was decliningnoticeably around the platforms.
Crushed limestone aggregate provides an ideal substrate for the settlement andgrowth of oysters and other benthic invertebrates. A complex ecological webincluding baitfishes and recreationally important predatory fishes will be establishedand maintained throughout the life of the material on the bottom. Local recreationalfisheries associated with these gas platforms will benefit as a direct result of thiswork.
These four additions complete this phase of MRD’s Gas Platform Fishery HabitatEnhancement Program and will afford excellent fishing around these easilyaccessible gas platforms, adding to the three platforms similarly enhanced in2003.
2003 Deployment (Phase I)Alex Maisel Memorial Reef – 30°17.802’ - 88°02.731’ExxonMobil production platform 63 AB – 30°17.511’ - 87°59.739’ExxonMobil production platform 76 A – 30°15.250’ - 88°03.120’
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ageor disability in its hiring or employment practices, nor in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services or activities.
This publication is available in alternative formats, upon request.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTSSportfish Restoration Funds administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service were utilized in the preparation
I PLEDGE:• To transport to shore, for properdisposal, all trash generatedaboard my boat, especially plastic,glass, and metal;• To make every effort to preventaccidental loss of food and drinkcontainers, fishing gear, and otherdebris from my boat;• To retrieve for proper disposalonshore, plastic refuse, cans, andother man-made debris I findfloating in navigable waters; and• To encourage fellow boaters andfishermen to “Take Pride in theGulf of Mexico.”
DISCLAIMERThis product is intended for use solely as a reference guide to Alabama fishing. It is not intended for navigationaluse. This agency makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy or completeness ofthe information contained in this document. Furthermore, this agency assumes no liability with respect to theuse of, or damages resulting from the use of any information contained in this document.
As a recreational boater andfisherman I recognize that:
The waters of the Gulf of Mexico andits associated bays, sounds, lakesand tributaries are valuable publicresources ent rusted to thestewardship of all who enjoy them.A pollution-free aquatic environmentis essential to the health andproductivity of coastal fisheries andto high quality recreational fishingand boating experiences.Trash deliberately discarded orcarelessly lost overboard is harmfulto marine life and shorebirds, createsa blight on the shorefront, andthreatens the safe, efficient operationof boats and equipment.Waterborne debris in the Gulf ofMexico is detrimental to all Gulf statesand other countries that share thewaters of the Gulf.