Artificial Reefs Overview

Artificial reefs rise like oases in the desert -- dotting the vast expanses of mud and sand covering the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. These underwater havens provide hard surfaces required for attachment by invertebrates such as barnacles, corals, sponges, clams, bryozoans and hydroids. Hard bottom habitats do occur naturally in Texas offshore waters, but they are very limited and receive tremendous fishing pressure because of their productivity. Most occur tens of miles from shore. The best example is the Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary which lies just over 100 miles from Galveston. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council estimated the total natural reef habitat in the Gulf of Mexico to be 15,000 square miles in 1989. Less than a third of that is found offshore of Texas and Louisiana. Hard substrate that is introduced into the marine environment by man flourishes with life. The many petroleum platforms (Rigs) on the Continental Shelf have served as unintentional artificial reefs for decades. A 1981 estimation of reef habitat provided by rigs was just under 2,000 square miles. Those that remain in place through the Rigs to Reefs Program will continue to serve as fishing and diving destinations. Other reef sites developed by placing suitable man made materials on the sea floor through the Ships to Reefs Program and the Near Shore Reefs Program are particularly important places where encrusting invertebrates can secure themselves.

These organisms are the beginnings of an interactive food web that supports a host of reef fish species. By providing food and shelter, artificial reefs can enhance overfished populations of resident reef fish like snapper and grouper. Transient species like mackerel, shark and billfish can also benefit by feeding on the resident fish.

Of course, people can also benefit. Artificial reefs not only enhance fishery resources but also fishing and diving opportunities off Texas. Hundreds of thousands of anglers and divers travel offshore each year. Most use either one of the artificial reef sites managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or the even more numerous petroleum platforms scattered throughout the Gulf. Our goal is to continue to promote, develop, maintain, monitor and enhance the artificial reef potential of Texas offshore waters. To fulfill this purpose, the Department developed the Texas Artificial Reef Plan (PDF 3 MB) adopted by the Parks and Wildlife Commission in 1990. The Artificial Reef Program is guided by that Plan.

An interactive mapping application as well as a downloadable coastline map (PDF 145.8 KB) were developed to better assisst in locating the artificial reefs along the Texas coast.. The image contains detailed coordinates for each site and should be downloaded for printing. The Texas Artificial Reef Program Material Summary table with the NAD 83 coordinates is also available.

RIGS-TO-REEFS

Rigs-to-reefs is the heart of the Texas Artificial Reef Program. Rigs make ideal artificial reefs because they are environmentally safe, are constructed of highly durable and stable material that withstands displacement or breakup, and already support a thriving reef ecosystem. This portion of the Program provides for the recycling of obsolete petroleum platforms into permanent artificial reefs rather than allowing them to be taken ashore as scrap. In addition to the rigs, these companies have also donated half their realized savings from leaving the rigs offshore to the Texas Artificial Reef Fund. These dedicated funds are used to finance research, administration, maintenance, liability, and construction of new artificial reefs. The funds make the Texas Artificial Reef Program self-sufficient, with no need for taxpayer dollars.

For more information: Rigs to Reefs Program

NEAR-SHORE/SHALLOW REEFS

Near-shore/shallow reefs will allow more anglers and divers to reach a Texas artificial reef. In addition to reefing oil and gas platforms, the Artificial Reef Program has begun the process of establishing a series of reefs along the Texas coast in state waters (up to 9 nautical miles offshore). Most water depths will range from 60 to 100 feet.

Rigs will not easily fit into these depths and still maintain a reasonable safety clearance margin over the structures. Consequently, the Program will be utilizing obsolete bridge and road-bed material, and non-functional preformed concrete structures like culverts. The public will have an opportunity to assist in this effort through our Public Reefing Program.

Concrete is ideal for these near-shore areas because the structures have a low profile, are readily available, and are dense and durable. Reefs of this nature will improve boater access to fishing and diving reefs. Keep visiting our site to mark the progress of the development of these reefs.

For more information : Near Shore Reefs and Public Reefing Program

SHIPS-TO-REEFS

Ships-to-reefs add a unique dimension to the Artificial Reef Program. Next, the Program will begin expanding its Ships-to-Reefs segment. This segment began in the mid 1970’s with the reefing of 12 Liberty ships at six sites along the Texas coast. Since that time, however, large obsolete ships were virtually unavailable to coastal states. Recently, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Maritime Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have drafted guidelines for coastal states to follow in the preparation of obsolete ships for their respective artificial reef programs. Texas will continue to compete with these states for the opportunity to acquire ships for Texas waters.

The Program’s current Ships-to-Reefs project is the USTS Texas Clipper. This is the former Texas A&M University Merchant Marine training vessel decommissioned in 1996. We have been working on this project since 1998, and hope to have the ship reefed by the fall of 2007. Keep visiting our site to mark the progress of the Texas Clipper Reef Project.

For more information: Ships to Reefs