JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 175-foot barge was deployed in Duval County Wednesday morning to make its way toward Harm’s Ledge to create the “Ripper Reef.”
The vessel made a 28-mile journey to Harm’s Ledge, which is a pre-permitted reef site known to attract flounder, snapper, gag grouper, black sea bass and other species.
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“There’s nothing out there, just pure sand,” said Frank Gius, director of habitat and environmental restoration with the Coastal Conservation Association Florida. “Once this barge hits the bottom, it’s gonna be like an oasis in the desert. Immediately fish will come through it within a year or two. It will be a completely thriving reef.”
The CCA along with the Cameron Smith Foundation and Kistel Media joined efforts to deploy the barge to address the need for habitat in a transitional area that will increase “recreational fishing and diving opportunities and also aims to relieve pressure on natural reef sites.
CCA Florida aims to improve and create sustainable fisheries, coastal habitats and waterways, and the Ripper Reef is an extension of that commitment,” CAA Executive Director Brian Gorski said.
The barge got its Ripper Reef name from avid angler and Jacksonville resident Cameron Smith, who decided to name the vessel after Smith’s LIV golf team called “Ripper GC.”
This marked the largest vessel deployment since 2000.
The Northeast Florida chapter of the CCA also had a hand in the deployment.
“We have a lot of projects with oysters, clams, pretty much anything to do with cleaning up our waterways and improving our habitat in Northeast, Florida is our true goal, this would create artificial habitat for more fish, more beta fish, protections for species... kind of help our fisheries in Northeast Florida,” Chapter President Mark Feagle said.
The CCA has deployed 46 artificial reefs across Florida since 2008.
Watch the barge descend into 90 to 100-foot waters to land in its new home: