Jim Tucker
Beach Fanatic
To create three new artificial reefs, Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s Natural Resources Team and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida are deploying three million pounds of repurposed concrete culverts.
The new reefs give fish and marine life a place to feed and reproduce, while opening up new spots for local anglers and divers.(Okaloosa County)
This marks the second deployment for Florida’s Coastal Corridor, a statewide effort by the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The first took place off the coast of Naples on Sept. 2.
Florida’s coastal habitats are under increasing pressure from habitat loss, changing ocean conditions, and growing demand on our waters. Mangroves, seagrass, oyster reefs, and reefs form a connected coastal system that supports marine life, protects shorelines, improves water quality, and sustains the fisheries and wildlife that make Florida unique.
Florida’s Coastal Corridor is a coordinated statewide initiative led by the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in partnership with local governments, scientists, reef builders, conservation organizations, and coastal communities. Together, we are creating, enhancing, and connecting coastal habitats through projects including artificial reefs, oyster reefs, seagrass restoration, mangrove enhancement, and living shorelines.
By creating the right habitat in the right places, Florida’s Coastal Corridor will strengthen fisheries, expand recreational opportunities, support resilient coastal communities, and help ensure Florida’s coastal waters remain vibrant and productive for generations to come.
The new reefs give fish and marine life a place to feed and reproduce, while opening up new spots for local anglers and divers.(Okaloosa County)
A press release from Okaloosa County officials says that the reefs will be built underwater, roughly four to eight nautical miles from East Pass at a depth of about 68 to 74 feet. About 500 tons of concrete will be used for each reef.
The new reefs give fish and marine life a place to feed and reproduce, while opening up new spots for local anglers and divers.(Okaloosa County)
The new reefs give fish and marine life a place to feed and reproduce, while opening up new spots for local anglers and divers.
The release says this phase of the Coastal Corridor project is expected to be complete in November 2026.
The new reefs give fish and marine life a place to feed and reproduce, while opening up new spots for local anglers and divers.(Okaloosa County)
This marks the second deployment for Florida’s Coastal Corridor, a statewide effort by the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The first took place off the coast of Naples on Sept. 2.
Florida’s coastal habitats are under increasing pressure from habitat loss, changing ocean conditions, and growing demand on our waters. Mangroves, seagrass, oyster reefs, and reefs form a connected coastal system that supports marine life, protects shorelines, improves water quality, and sustains the fisheries and wildlife that make Florida unique.
Florida’s Coastal Corridor is a coordinated statewide initiative led by the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in partnership with local governments, scientists, reef builders, conservation organizations, and coastal communities. Together, we are creating, enhancing, and connecting coastal habitats through projects including artificial reefs, oyster reefs, seagrass restoration, mangrove enhancement, and living shorelines.
By creating the right habitat in the right places, Florida’s Coastal Corridor will strengthen fisheries, expand recreational opportunities, support resilient coastal communities, and help ensure Florida’s coastal waters remain vibrant and productive for generations to come.
The new reefs give fish and marine life a place to feed and reproduce, while opening up new spots for local anglers and divers.(Okaloosa County)
A press release from Okaloosa County officials says that the reefs will be built underwater, roughly four to eight nautical miles from East Pass at a depth of about 68 to 74 feet. About 500 tons of concrete will be used for each reef.
The new reefs give fish and marine life a place to feed and reproduce, while opening up new spots for local anglers and divers.(Okaloosa County)
The new reefs give fish and marine life a place to feed and reproduce, while opening up new spots for local anglers and divers.
The release says this phase of the Coastal Corridor project is expected to be complete in November 2026.
