Enhancement of Ten NRDA-Funded Artificial Reef Sites Located Across the State of Louisiana Complete

The enhancement of ten artificial reef sites is now complete. Projects, stretching across five Louisiana coastal basins, began in June 2019 and continued through September 2021. The addition of new reef material to these established sites increases the reef habitat and complexity, while providing increased recreational fishing opportunities to the public.

Artificial reef sites were enhanced with recycled concrete and crushed limestone. Water depth and permitted acreage determined the size and amount of material deployed. Reef enhancements were done within the range of salinities optimum for popular recreational saltwater species like speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. All inshore artificial reef sites are protected from oyster harvest, allowing oysters growing within the reef permit areas to provide oyster larvae to nearby oyster reefs for the future.

The Statewide Artificial Reefs Project was approved and funded by the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (LA TIG) in July of 2018 in the Final Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment (RP/EA) #2: Provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities to restore for lost recreational opportunities that occurred as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Coordinates for enhanced reef sites are as follows:

For more information, including additional reef locations and maps, please visit the Louisiana Artificial Reef Program site at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/artificial-reefs.