AWF NEARSHORE ARTIFICIAL REEF ZONE BUILD-OUT PLAN
Enhancing Marine Resources and Angling Opportunity
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AWF NEARSHORE ARTIFICIAL REEF ZONE
AWF has worked collaboratively with the Alabama Marine Resources Division and other partners for two decades to support and assist with development of Alabama’s world-class artificial reef system. In 2014, AWF was instrumental in helping fund and develop the Alabama Artificial Reef Development Plan which has been used extensively by ADCNR to secure over $35 Million for building artificial reefs in the inshore, nearshore, and offshore reef zones of Alabama.

On February 22, 2019, Governor Ivey and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources established by proclamation, the “Alabama Wildlife Federation Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone.” This 7.5 square mile reef zone is located approximately 8 miles south of Dauphin Island with water depths of 60-70 feet.

THE BUILD-OUT PLAN
As with most of the water bottoms off the Alabama coast, natural structure is extremely limited. Artificial reefs provide desirable structure, and when properly designed and deployed, provide both ecological benefit and enhanced angling opportunities.

To elevate the contribution of artificial reefs within the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone to the ecological function of the marine fishery and reef fish species in particular, AWF and the Alabama Marine Resource Division have developed a Master Plan for the final build-out of the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone. The Master Plan identifies twenty-six (26) new artificial reef sites within the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone that represent a combination of Juvenile Reef Fish Reefs and Adult Reef Fish Reefs. Juvenile Reef Fish Reefs (low-relief structures) will be targeted for twelve (12) sites and Adult Reef Fish Reefs (high-relief structures) will be targeted for fourteen (14) sites.

JUVENILE REEF FISH REEFS
Studies of juvenile reef fish distribution patterns, red snapper in particular, indicate that newly-settled recruits will be widely distributed within the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone. Providing low-relief, highly complex structures for juveniles to utilize will offer protection and foraging opportunities for new recruits until they are of sufficient size to safely utilize larger structures. Low relief structure within the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone is extremely limited and the introduction of quality juvenile habitat is a high priority. Each juvenile reef fish module will utilize concrete/limestone discs on a short piling embedded into a concrete slab that sits on the sea floor. A cluster of five (5) slabs with discs will make up a Juvenile Reef Fish Reef and twelve (12) of these reefs will be established within the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone.

ADULT REEF FISH REEFS
Adult reef fish modules are larger, high-relief structures. Ten-foot pyramid structures will be the most commonly used type of adult reef fish module, but other suitable structure that provides high-relief and ample internal space can also be utilized. With water depths of 60-70 feet in the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone, and the reef zone permit requiring at least 35’ of vertical clearance above the reefs, the tallest structures utilized could provide up to 20-30 feet of vertical relief above the sea floor, depending on depth at the site of deployment. A cluster of four (4) pyramids or suitable high-relief structures will make up an Adult Reef Fish Reef. Fourteen (14) of these reefs will be established within the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone.

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PROJECT COST
The cost of each reef, including the multiple modules for each reef and deployment, is estimated at $10,000 per reef. To fully build-out of the twenty-six (26) reef sites within the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone, total cost is estimated at $260,000.

PROJECT INVESTOR PROFILES
Single-Reef Investor ($10,000) – Sponsors the acquisition and deployment of one (1) Adult OR Juvenile Reef within the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone. Includes naming opportunity for the individual reef deployed. Reef names will be listed on reef coordinate charts available to all anglers, divers, and the general public.

Double-Reef Investor ($20,000) – Sponsors the acquisition and deployment of one (1) Adult AND one (1) Juvenile Reef within the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone. Includes naming opportunity for both individual reefs deployed. Reef names will be listed on reef coordinate charts available to all anglers, divers, and the general public.

Reef Cluster Investor ($50,000) - Sponsors the acquisition and deployment of a five-site Reef Cluster within the AWF Nearshore Artificial Reef Zone. Includes naming opportunity for the Reef Cluster which will be listed on reef coordinate charts, and custom name plaques affixed to a module in each of the five (5) reefs prior to deployment. Reef names will be listed on reef coordinate charts available to all anglers, divers, and the general public.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Tim L. Gothard, Executive Director
Alabama Wildlife Federation
334.285.4550
timg@alabamawildlife.org
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