Alabama’s Artificial Reefs Program is based on the “Large Area Permit” concept where a very large area 
is permitted for artificial reefs by the state and then the state issues privated individuals permits for using this area. This allows actual deployment sites to be kept “secret” (and thus to help prevent overuse) by the builder. Brilliant in design, this seems to be fundumentally flawed to encourage the use of short lived materials since the builders feel that their site will be found in a few years by other uses. There have been attempts by regulators to inspect reef materials but the standards are still below most public reef building programs. Fortunately, designed artificial reefs are on the rise because private builders have sustained heavy losses of inferior reef materials in the recent fury of hurricanes.
- Marine Tech Grant Proposal Nov. 18, 2005
- ENN- Environmental News Network [Eternal Reefs Announces 2004 Memorial Reef Locations] Sept 20, 2004
- Private Initiatives In Florida And Alabama Improve The Marine …
- Private Alabama Reef Ball Projects (Coastal Reef Builders, Inc. has built hundreds of Reef Balls for private individuals in Alabama’s Large Area Permit…sorry, numbers are private).
- Coastal Reef Builders took an private order for 6 barge loads, deployed in March of 1997 in Alabama and Mississippi.
State Artificial Reef Coordinators
STEVE HEATH
P.O. BOX 189
DAUPHIN ISLAND AL 36528
sheath@gulftel.com
Through the Career Technical Education Department Katrina Relief Funding Request for Reef Ball Program
The Marine Technology program has been in existence for over 30 years in the Seaport Town of Bayou La Batre. The fishing industry has trained students to enter the commercial fishing industry for boat building, net building (shrimping), commercial oystering and all other related fields. There are only two U.S. Coast Guard approved programs like this in the United States; the other being in Alaska which was modeled after ours. Students follow a rigorous marine curriculum starting in the ninth grade and are completers at the end of their 12th grade year. Our Marine Technology Program is asking for $25,000.00 to start a Reef Ball Building Program called “Canes Reef Ball Project Replenish and Research”. The money will be used to purchase equipment and moulds to manufacture future reef balls in various sizes. The reefs will be used to improve the water quality for oyster production, to attract pelagic fish for reefs that were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina, and to improve the coral reefs that are now presently off shore. The school is located in the Bayou La Batre area in a new School-to-Work Program building which has a fifteen ton overhead crane. The school will receive concrete donations from local adopters in the business community. The possibilities are endless for the Bayou La Batre area where 75% of the homes and businesses were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Located adjacent to the Marine Technology Program is our Aquaculture Program which is funded by Chevron Offshore Oil. This innovation program is growing red snapper, cobia, and trigger fish in order to replenish the reef community. Thank you for your consideration to support our project. Start up dates are depending of private funds received and grant awards. The school can start production by Jan. 1, 2006 or later. Please be reminded that the school has available 501C for non-profit status. See http://www.reefball.org/sponsor.htm for more information about supporting our program.
Authorized Contractors for the Area
Reef Innovations, Inc.
Reef Innovations, Inc. (RI) is a worldwide mobile, authorized, licensed and insured Reef Ball Contractor providing turnkey construction and delivery of Reef Ball products worldwide. RI also offers Reef Ball mold training and finished module inspection services. Check our Website for more information.
Reef Innovations
2415 McMichael Road
St. Cloud, Fl 34771
larry@reefball.com
Cell: (941)650-2519
Home: (407) 957-5821
Coastal Reef Builders, Inc.
Coastal Reef Builders, Inc. is our authorized contractor for the Florida (Panhandle) and Alabama Large Area Permits. YOU can own your own Reef Ball reef with private coordinates for as little as $180. AND THAT’S A DEPLOYED PRICE! Coastal Reef Builders, Inc. owns a barge and tugboat and are also available for deployment work throughout the southeast.
Please see Coastal Reef Builders, Inc.’s HOME PAGE for further information.
Email: dale@reefball.com
