Artificial Reefs
|
 |
|
|
Click
above to watch the video
of the Egmont Key Artificial Reef. |
|
The Artificial Reef Program is administered by
the Environmental Protection Commission
of Hillsborough County and was started October 23, 1986. The goal of the
Artificial Reef Program is to increase habitat diversity by providing
hard-bottom substrates and communities which might not otherwise be
available in Tampa Bay. The reefs also provide additional fishing
opportunities for the sport fishing public in the bay area.
What’s The Catch?
The staff of the Artificial Reef Program frequently speak to fishing clubs,
schools and many other civic groups in the Tampa Bay area. Almost always, these
people are pleasantly surprised to find out that the reefs don’t cost them a
single tax dollar. In fact, we have never purchased a single piece of reef
material!
The Artificial Reef Program is funded by the
Environmental Protection Commission’s Pollution Recovery Trust Fund.
This fund was established to specifically address environmental cleanup
and restoration in Hillsborough County.
 Additional
funds have been provided by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration
Program and by saltwater fishing license funds administered by the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Marine
Fisheries.
The program also relies on generous donations of materials, as well as
construction and transportation services, from local marine construction
contractors. For more information on the Artificial Reef Program call
(813) 627-2600 or E-mail us at
reefs@epchc.org.
| 
