TEXAS ARTIFICIAL REEF PROGRAM
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Resource managers have been involved in artificial reef development off the Texas coast for nearly 50 years. The donation of 12 Liberty Ships in 1975-76 formed the foundation of the current Artificial Reef Program and represents the first successful reef development activity with stable, durable, and complex material by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The Texas Artificial Reef Program currently has 45 obsolete petroleum structures located at 34 sites, and has received over $4 million in donations. Other materials used in the construction of reefs include: a T2 Tanker, a tugboat, a navy YR dive barge, 4 barges, 44 concrete culverts, 300 coal combustion fly-ash blocks, 132 concrete reef balls, 50 one ton quarry blocks, and 16 concrete sinkers. For more information on the Program and GPS coordinates of the individual reef sites, call Coastal Fisheries at 1.800.792.1112 + 0. Reprinted from the Texas Saltwater Fish Identification Pocket Guide, 1999. |