CCA Louisiana, CITGO, and LDWF Announce Two New Artificial Reefs in the Lake Charles Area

Lake Charles, La., Apr 28, 2026 -

The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana (CCA Louisiana), joined by CITGO and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), announced today the construction of two new nearshore artificial reefs along Louisiana’s coast: the Port Wonder Reef and the Cutoff Point Reef. Both projects are being built simultaneously through CCA Louisiana’s REEF Louisiana program and made possible by generous grant funding from
CITGO and LDWF.

The announcement was made at a press conference held today at Port Wonder – Lakeside in Lake Charles, the newly opened 32,000-square-foot complex on the Lake Charles lakefront that is home to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Nature & Science Center and the Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana. Together, these two reefs represent another major step forward in CCA Louisiana’s long-running mission to rebuild the nearshore habitat that our saltwater fisheries depend on — habitat that has been diminished by coastal erosion and decades of environmental pressure.

THE NEW REEFS

Port Wonder Reef
Located in Calcasieu Parish in Southwest Louisiana, the Port Wonder Reef will improve the easy-access fishing directly out the back door of Port Wonder. The reef shares its name with the new educational complex to reinforce the connection between habitat restoration in the water and conservation education on shore, where Louisiana families and students will learn about the coastal ecosystems this reef is helping to restore. CITGO has been deeply invested in the long-term vision and success of Port Wonder, providing funding to support the construction of the
facility, and hosting National STEM Day at the location to help broaden access to STEM learning opportunities for students.

Cutoff Point Reef

Being constructed simultaneously, the Cutoff Point Reef will expand critical fish habitat in the Northwest quadrant of Calcasieu Lake and create new opportunities for recreational anglers. Together with the Port Wonder Reef, it marks the latest expansion of the REEF Louisiana footprint in a year that has already seen significant habitat investment being made along our coast.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“Every reef we build is a direct investment in the future of Louisiana’s fishery,” said Rad Trascher, CEO of CCA Louisiana. “More structure means more forage, more juvenile fish survival, and more opportunities for the anglers and families who make Louisiana’s coast their backyard. The Port Wonder and Cutoff Point reefs are proof of what’s possible when CCA works with LDWF and industry partners like CITGO to invest in the Sportsman’s Paradise we all love. This is how we improve our fisheries long-term — one reef at a time (and in this case two)!”

“CITGO is proud to partner with CCA Louisiana and LDWF to make these two artificial reefs a reality,” said Sterling Neblett, Vice President & General Manager of the CITGO Lake Charles Refinery. “Louisiana’s coast is part of the fabric of our community, and investing in its long-term health is investing in the people, families, and way of life that define this state. The Port Wonder and Cutoff Point reefs will provide habitat, easy-access public fishing opportunities, and lasting value for generations of Louisianans. This is what ‘Fueling Good’ looks like.”

“Adding new reef habitat along our coast creates enhanced fish habitat and leads to greater fishing opportunities for anglers,” said Ryan Montegut, LDWF Assistant Secretary of Fisheries. “We are thankful for our partners at CCA Louisiana, CITGO, NATRX, and Danos for their continued investment in the futureof Louisiana’s fisheries. Projects like the Port Wonder Reef and Cutoff Point Reef demonstrate what public-private partnerships can accomplish for our state.”

WHY IT MATTERS

Louisiana has lost more of its natural reef habitat than any other Gulf state. Coastal erosion continues to reshape the state’s shoreline, and over time, the natural hardbottom structure that fish depend on for forage, spawning, and survival has diminished across Louisiana’s nearshore waters. Rebuilding that structure is essential to the long-term health of the fishery. CCA Louisiana’s REEF Louisiana program was built to answer that loss head-on — partnering with LDWF’s Artificial Reef Program, private industry, and contractors (Danos, NATRX, and White Water) to construct new habitat that restores what has been lost. The Port Wonder Reef and Cutoff Point Reef continue that push and represent the latest chapter in a multi-year effort to rebuild Louisiana’s nearshore fishery.

PROJECT PARTNERS

CCA Louisiana is proud to partner with the following organizations to bring the Port Wonder Reef and Cutoff Point Reef to life:
• CITGO
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)
• LDWF Nature & Science Center at Port Wonder
• Danos
• White Water Contractors
• NATRX

ABOUT LDWF

LDWF’s mission is to manage, conserve, and promote wise utilization of Louisiana’s renewable fish and wildlife resources and their supporting habitats through replenishment, protection, enhancement, research, development, and education for the social and economic benefit of current and future generations; to provide opportunities for knowledge of and use and enjoyment of these resources; and to promote a safe and healthy environment for the users of the resources.

ABOUT CCA LOUISIANA

The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana (CCA Louisiana) is a non-profit marine conservation organization with more than 25,000 members across 30 chapters statewide. CCA Louisiana is dedicated to the conservation, promotion, and enhancement of Louisiana’s saltwater fisheries through science-based advocacy, habitat restoration, legislative action, and community engagement. REEF Louisiana is CCA Louisiana’s artificial reef program, working in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and private sector partners to construct nearshore and offshore artificial reefs that restore habitat, enhance fisheries, and create new recreational fishing opportunities along Louisiana’s coast. Learn more at CCAlouisiana.com.

ABOUT CITGO

CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry and operates under the well-known CITGO brand. CITGO owns and operates three refineries located in Lake Charles, La.; Lemont, Ill.; and Corpus Christi, Texas, and wholly and/or jointly owns 43 active terminals, eight pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,600 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 829,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO ranks as the fifth-largest and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products, and supplies a network of approximately 4,000 locally owned and independently operated branded retail outlets. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc.