Sarasota Bay Estuary Program deploys 24 artificial reefs into bay
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The Sarasota Bay Estuary started the deployment of 24 artificial reefs into Sarasota Bay Tuesday.
The reefs are being placed at six sites throughout the bay in both Sarasota County and Manatee County waters, including Bayshore North Reef, Whale Key Reef, Bayshore South Reef, Walkers Reef, Harts Reef, and Sportsmans Reef.
Reef Innovations of Sarasota constructed the deep-cover reef modules. They are specially designed to attract species of fish that are popular among commercial and recreational fishermen, such as gag grouper, sheepshead and mangrove snapper.
The fish call the reef home during their juvenile years before heading back out into the bay or even offshore. The reef is designed to house a large number of fish and protect them from predators as well as people.
“It is habitat for two real different types of fish populations,” said Dr. Dave Tomasko, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program director. “Those that are going to be caught in the bay and those that are just using the bay as juvenile habitat.”
Tomasko explained that the water quality in Sarasota Bay is the best it has been in the last 10 to 15 years and as a result of that, some of the lost habitat is returning such as the seagrass meadows. However, other features will not return on their own, so he says human intervention is critical.
“One of the reasons why we are happy about putting these artificial reefs projects in place because people love to see it,” Tomasko said. “We are creating a healthy bay for the users and people who actually live around here, they want to be able to go out onto the water, and they want to catch fish. So our water quality is good and now we are creating the conditions that allow people to be more successful catching fish, whether it is in the bay or whether it is offshore.”
Alongside staff scientist Dr. Jay Leverone, Tomasko dove into the bay to check out artificial reefs that were deployed about 10 years ago. He said they’ve all proven to be successful. They hope to see the same success at the new reefs deployed this week.
“If you are a local fisherman and you don’t have a big boat to go offshore, you can come out and fish these reefs and have maybe just as good of luck on that,” Leverone said. “More importantly, this is something to help sustain a vital part of our local Florida economy, which is commercial fishing and recreational fishing. It is hugely important along the west coast of Florida, so what you see offshore, what you catch offshore, what you eat on your plate at the local restaurants, it is very likely that they started their life cycle in Sarasota Bay at these reefs.”
The estuary program said it will only be a matter of weeks before the reefs start forming new life.
The cost to build and deploy the reefs was paid for by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and a donation from the Sarasota Sportsmens Association.
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