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County to deploy Phase 2 artificial reefs near Pensacola Pass in March–April
Summary
Staff told the Marine Advisory Committee the county will deploy additional artificial-reef modules and patch reefs funded through Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission oil‑spill recovery funds, with contractor Walter Marine selected and deployment planned for March–April.
County staff briefed the Marine Advisory Committee on Feb. 3 about the second phase of an artificial-reef project funded from oil-spill recovery funds administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Staff said Phase 1 deployed 193 reef modules and 31 patch reefs in SR 27, about 1 mile south of the Navarre Beach Pier.
Staff described Phase 2 as placing the remainder of the county’s allotted modules closer to Pensacola Pass—about 5 nautical miles southeast of the pass—so boaters can reach the reefs without a long transit from Santa Rosa County ramps. Walter Marine was selected as the contractor and staff said deployment is scheduled for March and April.
Members asked whether Phase 1 sites are full; staff said there is still some capacity. Staff confirmed reef GPS coordinates are available and, according to staff, are posted on the Santa Rosa County website; a committee member offered to circulate SR 27 coordinates and forthcoming Phase 2 coordinates to the committee.
The committee discussed timing and visibility of coordinates for public use and whether reefs should be given time to populate before being widely publicized; staff offered to provide the coordinates for committee members.
