RFA Spearheads Artificial Reef Program To Save Texas Red Snapper Fishery
 

January 18, 2006
 

 RFA National and RFA Texas are spearheading a program to implement a viable Artificial Reef Program inside Texan State Waters.  RFA Texas has been asked to speak on this issue at an upcoming Coastal Mayor’s Conference.  Other Gulf States, particularly Alabama, have implemented artificial reef programs with strong backing of the fishing communities and have benefited greatly from their efforts.  “Texas has a vast coastline ripe for a similar program.” states RFA Texas Chair Jim Smarr.  “RFA Texas will be working hard to insure Texas has vital fish structure in State Waters.”

 The benefits of well designed artificial reef programs have been made evident to the scientific and fishing communities by successes documented from artificial reef programs throughout the country.  In the Gulf of Mexico, red snapper along with grouper and ling have been found to show up immediately upon deployment of artificial reefs as they begin utilizing this valuable habitat.  It is expected that by creating additional red snapper habitat through an artificial reef program, Texas anglers will have access to the fishery into winter months, traditionally a period when these fish are not found in these waters. “This initiative is a long-term solution to Texas achieving a winter red snapper fishery.”   

 RFA will remain engaged with Texas Parks and Wildlife as this initiative progresses.  At the moment, Texas Parks and Wildlife is setting up a corridor near the nine-mile State Water boundary to accommodate the reef programs. These pyramid reefs cost approximately $800.00; however, the benefits in terms of economic gain to coastal communities from a viable winter red snapper fishery will far exceed the costs.  The Texas General Land Office has agreed to help RFA Texas find funding for the reef program but as in most states funds are tight and it is necessary that the entire fishing community get behind the placement of these structures in State Waters.  We will be working to implement this initiative as fast as possible to spur a whole new fishery for Texans.