Artificial reefs of the Gulf of Mexico. A review of Gulf state programs & key considerations

Abstract

From Background: “All five Gulf States have artificial reef programs, and over the past few decades the states have built artificial reefs both inshore and offshore across the Gulf Coast. Additional reefs are being proposed, particularly with the various funding sources related to the Deepwater Horizon disaster. This paper provides a review of existing artificial reef programs, provides baseline information on natural reefs on the northern Gulf of Mexico, and provides for a better understanding of the economic and environmental considerations that should be accounted when developing new artificial reefs.”