Alabama Reefing Areas

With a pro-active reefing program coordinated with the US Corp of Engineers, (over 14,000 reefs deployed since 1986 in 1,260 sq. miles of permitted reefing areas) Alabama recreational fishermen now account for about 40% of the snapper catch in the entire Gulf. This is an amazing statistic, considering that Alabama accounts for only 40 miles of coastline in the Gulf of Mexico. Texas on the other hand possesses almost 10 times the coastline, yet due to a lack of vision and/or proactive programs to enhance the fisheries offshore, Texas recreational anglers are not experiencing the same level of fishing success. In fact, increasing regulatory restrictions have caused many Texas anglers to abandon the sport, resulting in a downward spiral of income to the Texas coastal economies. The impending reduction in the bag limit to 2 Red Snapper per person by the NMFS will invariably result in the loss of the $8 Billion fishing industry along the coast of Texas and other Gulf states. The Texas Great Barrier Reef Project was conceived as a way to prevent the collapse of the coastal communities due to the actions of the NMFS and Gulf Council. Snapper are habitat-limited - provide more habitat, and the fish stocks will thrive. We think Texas can dwarf Alabama's accomplishments, if we put our mind to it.

HOW DOES ALABAMA ACCOUNT FOR 40% OF THE RED SNAPPER?
Alabama has one of the largest artificial reef programs in the world. The natural bottom of offshore Alabama is a predominately flat sand/mud type bottom. This bottom type attracts very few fish that are either commercially or recreationally valuable. However, it has long been known that if vertical relief is created on this bottom, many reef fish such as snappers and groupers will be produced. In fact, artificial reefs can be created that over time will appear as natural reefs with similar communities of encrusting organisms and bait fish.
With a pro-active reefing program coordinated with the US Corp of Engineers, (over 14,000 reefs deployed since 1986 in 1,260 sq. miles of permitted reefing areas) Alabama recreational fishermen now account for about 40% of the snapper catch in the entire Gulf. This is an amazing statistic, considering that Alabama accounts for only 40 miles of coastline in the Gulf of Mexico. Texas on the other hand possesses almost 10 times the coastline, yet due to a lack of vision and/or proactive programs to enhance the fisheries offshore, Texas recreational anglers are not experiencing the same level of fishing success. In fact, increasing regulatory restrictions have caused many Texas anglers to abandon the sport, resulting in a downward spiral of income to the Texas coastal economies. The impending reduction in the bag limit to 2 Red Snapper per person by the NMFS will invariably result in the loss of the $8 Billion fishing industry along the coast of Texas and other Gulf states. The Texas Great Barrier Reef Project was conceived as a way to prevent the collapse of the coastal communities due to the actions of the NMFS and Gulf Council. Snapper are habitat-limited - provide more habitat, and the fish stocks will thrive. We think Texas can dwarf Alabama's accomplishments, if we put our mind to it.
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