20-RG0125/PH - 20-RG0125/PH Artificial Reef Program

The overall goal of Hernando County’s Artificial Reef Program is to construct a diverse network of artificial reefs that will enhance recreational opportunities for a wide variety of users and enhance nature-based tourism. The objectives of the project are to: 1) support the increasing recreational demand for offshore reef fishing and scuba diving opportunities; and 2) enhance the abundance, distribution, and structural diversity of hard bottom habitat in the county’s marine waters.  Habitat created by artificial reefs is anticipated to provide numerous environmental benefits including:  1) the creation of transitional hard bottom habitat between the offshore zone and estuaries; 2) creation of essential fish habitat (EFH) that will increase fish diversity; 3) substrate supporting encrusting and colonial benthic organisms such as sponges and corals; and 4) niche space for small marine invertebrates.   Hernando County’s Artificial Reef Program is consistent with Goals 1, 3, and 5 of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council’s Comprehensive Plan (2016), and is consistent with the marine habitat enhancement goals identified within the County’s Strategic Marine Area Plan (Barshel et al 2018) and the goals outlined in FFWCC’s Artificial Reef Strategic Plan (2003).