Artificial Reefs Providing New Habitat for Fish Staff members from NOAA Fisheries and NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries have been working with the Navy and the U.S. Maritime Administration to help the states procure and prepare former naval ships for use as artificial reefs. Almost every state on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts has prepared a “wish list” in an effort to procure ships for their local area. Recently, the state of Florida won the bid for the Oriskany. This 888 ft aircraft carrier, now docked at the Port of Pensacola, is being cleaned and prepared for reefing. In 2005, it will make a final voyage to the Escambia East Artificial Reef Large Permit Area, 22.5 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass, where the Navy will sink the vessel as an artificial reef. When properly constructed and strategically sited, artificial reefs can enhance fish habitat, improve access to quality fishing grounds, and benefit fishermen and the economies of shore communities. Additional information is available at the Navy Artificial Reefing Web site, or contact
Mi************@no**.gov
.
Artificial Reefs Providing New Habitat for Fish
Staff members from NOAA Fisheries and NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries have been working with the Navy and the U.S. Maritime Administration to help the states procure and prepare former naval ships for use as artificial reefs. Almost every state on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts has prepared a “wish list” in an effort to procure ships for their local area. Recently, the state of Florida won the bid for the Oriskany. This 888 ft aircraft carrier, now docked at the Port of Pensacola, is being cleaned and prepared for reefing. In 2005, it will make a final voyage to the Escambia East Artificial Reef Large Permit Area, 22.5 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass, where the Navy will sink the vessel as an artificial reef. When properly constructed and strategically sited, artificial reefs can enhance fish habitat, improve access to quality fishing grounds, and benefit fishermen and the economies of shore communities.
Additional information is available at the Navy Artificial Reefing Web site, or contact
Mi************@no**.gov
.