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Monroe County outlines $15M artificial reef program, pilots shallow habitat support structures
Summary
Dr. Hannah Cook reported a $15 million FWC grant through 2030 to develop deep-reef, habitat support structure pilots, and a Gulfside network; she described monitoring, a completed 45-pole deployment, and plans for additional deployments and public outreach in spring.
Dr. Hannah Cook, director of Monroe County's artificial reefs program, told commissioners the program is funded by a $15,000,000 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission grant that runs through 2030 and is designed to plan, construct, monitor, and maintain artificial reef (habitat support structure) sites in the Florida Keys.
"Through legislative appropriation, the program is funded by a $15,000,000 FWC grant that runs through 2030," Cook said, describing three project categories: deep reefs (300'700 feet), a habitat support structures pilot in nearshore hard-bottom areas near Marathon and Layton, and a Gulfside Network of 7'10 sites in 40'60 feet of water. She said the county has submitted 21 permit applications across 15 sites, completed an initial patch-reef deployment using 45 donated concrete power poles (Gulfside 10-Mile Reef), and has completed 78 surveys pre- and post-deployment as part of an adaptive monitoring plan.
