Artificial Reefs

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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 13 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.