Artificial Reef Program

In order to provide better areas to fish and dive and to enhance local fisheries, artificial reefs are being deployed to provide additional hardbottom areas.  These reefs have been created using donated heavy concrete and steel materials like culverts, concrete pilings, light poles, and steel vessels.

To see a video  on St. Lucie County's Artifical Reef Program, click here.

Recent Developments

On January 31 and February 7, 2007, two barges of Civic Center materials were placed on top of the 140-foot Sterling Barge.  This barge  was sunk in 56 feet of water on the Nearshore Artificial Reef Site in May 2006.  The Civic center reef now has two peaks reaching to 31-foot and 35-foot depths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This summer, the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program intends to deploy 4 more artificial reefs with the help of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Artificial Reef Construction Grant.  Materials already are stockpiled at Harbour Pointe Park and include items such as culverts, railroad ties, light poles, and other large concrete objects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Information

To get more information about the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program, to get involved in the volunteer artificial reef monitoring program, report fishing catches on the artificial reefs or to make tax deductible contributions of either materials or money, please contact Jim Oppenborn, Marine Resource Coordinator, at (772)462-1713 or by email at oppenborj@stlucieco.gov.