Artificial Reefs

Alabama's Artificial Reef Program

Alabama's Artificial Reef Program is the product of a cooperative agreement between the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The program is the culmination of many meetings, letters, reports and workshops between various user groups within the coastal area and while the system addressed on this page is the current program, it is intended to be dynamic with changes occurring as technology develops on artificial reef construction.

DGPS Coordinates
Loran Coordinates
Reef Program History
'Roads to Reefs'
Inshore Reefs
UNOCAL Rig # 254-A - "Rigs to Reefs"

NEW – Inshore Artificial Reefs

Construction has begun on two new artificial reefs bringing the total number of inshore fishing reefs to 20. Rockpile Reef is located in Perdido Bay and Bayou Cour Reef is located in Bon Secour Bay. Both reefs are short distances from a number of private and public boat ramps. To see a diagram of the reefs along with GPS coordinates click on the desired reef name.

NEW – Alabama Offshore and Inshore Artificial Reefs
Download for Electronic Chart Plotters

Download a file detailing Alabama’s public inshore and offshore artificial reefs. This file contains GPS coordinates, range and bearing information, reef material used, and date of deployment. http://www.outdooralabama.com/Fishing/saltwater/fisheries/artificial-reefs/AlabamaPublicReefs.csv
http://www.outdooralabama.com/Fishing/saltwater/fisheries/artificial-reefs/AlabamaPublicReefs.xls

Updated May 2008 - Guide to Alabama's Offshore and Inshore Artificial Reefs

Click Here to download a guide detailing all of Alabama's public inshore and offshore artificial reefs. This document contains complete information with GPS coordinates, reef locator maps and charts, reef program history and artificial reef construction protocol in PDF format - (Adobe Acrobat required to view and print). File size: 2.1 MB. Red Snapper World Championship (RSWC) Reef Modules
NEW - Includes the 2007 Module Deployment Coordinates

Click Here to download an updated guide including maps and GPS coordinates for all 855 Red Snapper World Championship (RSWC) artificial reef fishing modules in PDF format - (Adobe Acrobat Reader required to view and print). This document contains GPS coordinates for the 2007 RSWC module deployment (406 new reef modules).

NEW - Includes the 2007 Module Deployment Coordinates

Click Here to download an updated guide including maps and GPS coordinates for all 855 Red Snapper World Championship (RSWC) artificial reef fishing modules in PDF format - (Adobe Acrobat Reader required to view and print). This document contains GPS coordinates for the 2007 RSWC module deployment (406 new reef modules).

Approximately 1,200 square miles of offshore waters are included in the artificial reef general permit areas of Alabama, making this the largest artificial reef program in the U. S. (Reef Zone Map) The five permit areas are set forth inside bold lines on the map and are called the Hugh Swingle General Permit Area, the Don Kelley General Permit Area - North, the Don Kelley General Permit Area - South, the Tatum - Winn General Permit Area - North, and the Tatum - Winn General Permit Area - South. Within these general permit areas, artificial reefs can be constructed by individuals by acquiring a permit from the Marine Resources Division. Offices of the Marine Resources Division are located in Gulf Shores (Telephone 251-968-7576) and on Dauphin Island (Telephone 251-861-2882). Both of these offices have individuals trained in artificial reef permitting and can schedule an inspection of reef material in a timely manner.

In order for individuals to construct artificial reefs outside of the general permit areas previously mentioned, a permit must be obtained from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to Section 10 of the River and Harbor Act of 1899, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as amended.

The advantages to utilizing the General Permit Areas for artificial reef construction are numerous, however, the three main advantages are: (A) a permit can be acquired in most instances within one (1) working day after the request is made. (B) While the specific area on which an individuals' artificial reef is not classified, the location is not publicized, and (C) the chances of artificial reefs within the general permit area coming in conflict with other users are reduced. (Artificial Reef Construction Protocol)

INSHORE FISHING REEFS
The Marine Resources Division has constructed 20 inshore fishing reefs (Inshore Reefs Map) within Mobile Bay, Bon Secour Bay, and Mississippi Sound utilizing concrete bridge materials obtained during the replacement of old bridges on the Mobile Bay Causeway, concrete culvert pipes, concrete roof panels, oyster shells and crushed limestone. Five reefs are experimental dual-purpose sites, providing excellent inshore fishing while enhancing oyster production.

NOTICE
1) A $25.00 inspection/permit fee is required for each individual reef, payable to the Alabama Marine Resources Division by personal check, cashier's check or money order (ACT NO. 2000-449, SECTION 1 (A)). ADCNR/MRD inspectors will signify approval of acceptable material and configuration by applying an approved ADCNR/MRD placard. An inspection placard signifying ADCNR/MRD approval will not be placed on the reef material until any and all discrepancies identified by the inspector have been corrected.

2) The $25.00 inspection/permit fee per individual reef applies to all material transported through Alabama's waters for deployment offshore (ACT NO. 2000-449, SECTION 1 (A)). If permitted reef material is transported through Alabama waters for deployment in another state's waters, permits from that state must be in the possession of the permittee, in addition to the Alabama permit.