Joe Nolin 14 January 2015

Natural Ecosystem Broad areas of barren, sandy, shell seafloor with scattered, natural low-relief sandstone live bottom outcrops /

ledges. Gray’s Reef NMS is the best characterization of the natural live bottom ledge occurring on the NE Florida continental shelf.

Artificial reefs provide settlement substrate for marine bio-fouling organisms and ledge / overhang habitat

creating live bottom reefs exploited by broad variety of commercially and recreationally important fish, shrimp and crab species.

Interaction of Artificial Reefs in Ecosystem

Increased carrying capacity for reef species on the NE Florida near shore continental shelf.

Stakeholders & Primary Users Charter, recreational and commercial fishermen and divers are the primary users and reef system

stakeholders.

Organized fishing and diving groups support artificial reef development and construction. Jacksonville and Volusia Reef Research Teams, TISIRI and Florida CCA-Jacksonville are examples.

Marine and boating industry in general.

Artificial Reef Purposes & Aims Creation of near shore recreational and commercial fishing and diving sites.

Creation of marine reef habitat on the near shore continental shelf where none currently exists.

Support the regional boating, fishing and diving marine industries.

Reef Design & Construction Considerations Ready availability of donated and discarded secondary use materials, i.e.

steel ships and barges and concrete structures and culverts.

Ease of marine hauling / handling and low-cost, simplified construction.

Reef Monitoring & Evaluation Teams of trained scientific divers conduct reef site monitoring and mapping and report observations regarding ecological

and physical performance to local, state and federal resource management agencies. Jacksonville and Volusia Reef Research Teams, the City of Fernandina Beach and TISIRI conduct reef site surveys and

mapping. Video and still photography is used along with written reports to record reef observations.

Are Reefs Meeting Objectives?

Yes.

How are Reefs Used? Anchored bottom fishing, drift fishing, trolling and SCUBA diving. Intercept surveys are conducted from time-to-time to gauge reef use.

Other Issues, Factors & Considerations Program funding and project staffing. Public support.

Reef construction site size.

Materials availability.

Challenging/Unique Issues, Successes, Lessons Learned

Observation of spawning behavior at artificial reef sites. Species include Red Snapper, Goliath Grouper, Mangrove Snapper, Great Barracuda.

Colonization of artificial reefs by coral species Oculina varicosa and Telesto fruticulosa. Preparation and controlled deployment of a large steel ships and barges.

Low-cost deployment of maintenance-free structures.

Jacksonville inshore river reefs and Volusia near shore reefs initiatives.

Telesto

Oculina

NE Florida Reef Program Managers

Jody McDaniel, City Planner II

City of Jacksonville

Planning and Development Department

Joe Kistel, Executive Director

TISIRI - Jacksonville, Florida

Wil Smith, Director

St. John’s County

Recreation & Parks Department

Nan S. Voit, Director

City of Fernandina Beach

Parks and Recreation Dept.

Amy Kennedy, Project Engineer

Flagler County

Engineering Department

Joe Nolin, Director

Volusia County

Coastal Division