Grayton Beach State Park Welcomes First Artificial Reefs

DESTIN, Fla. - July 9, 2015 - PRLog -- Artificial reefs have been used for hundreds of years to enrich marine life without harming the environment. In early July 2015, artificial reefs will be transported from Orange Beach, Alabama to just offshore Grayton Beach State Park. Local resident Andy McAlexander is leading the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) in this process that began in 2013. Grayton Beach State Park is conveniently located in the popular 30A area, close to Seaside and Seagrove Beach.

The new reefs, made of concrete and Florida limestone, will allow many more species to live in the area. McAlexander predicts over 50 percent of fish species will be hanging around within six months of the installation. "Having these reefs beach accessible adds an entirely new dynamic for the fisherman and the ecosystem in general," said Jim Richard, the Vice President of the SWARA. "It's going to create life where there really wasn't any."

South Walton and Destin, Florida beaches are widely known for their white sand and emerald waters. The new development will likely attract more wildlife as well as people, boosting the economy and the community. The official launch date was set for July 1^st but has been delayed until Friday, July 10^th with a public event at the park that morning.

The South Walton Artificial Reef Association is a grass-roots, non-profit organization dedicated to the construction, deployment, and monitoring of permitted artificial reefs in Walton County’s Gulf of Mexico coastal waters for the benefit and health of environment and community. Donations to the organization help build artificial reef habitats for marine life. This also helps SWARA in their goal to establish coastal sandbar snorkeling reefs near shore fish habitat diving reefs and to maintain, monitor, and enhance the reefs over time.

Photo:
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