GOMESA Application Details
- Internal Project Number
- 1273
- 1. Title of Project
- Artificial Reef Construction and Dive Monitoring
- 2. Location of Project
- State and Federal waters off the coast of Mississippi
- 3. Requesting Organization
- Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks, Inc (MGFB)
- 4a. Name
- Ralph C Humphrey, Jr
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- 228-861-7060
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 4039 Brandon James Dr
- 4e. Address Line 2
- 4e. City, State Zip
- Biloxi, MS 39532
- 4f. Email
- ralphhumphrey1956@gmail.com
- 5. FundingRequested
- $150,000
- Awarded Amount:
- $0
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- Yes
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- $100,000
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- Donated secondary use construction materials and derelict steel hull vessels
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $250,000
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- Currently, MGFB have the federal permits to construct artificial reefs in 14 permitted "Fish Havens". The reef locations range in size from 8 acres to 10,000 acres. The requested funds will allow MGFB to accept and deploy donated materials such as concrete culverts, pilings and manholes in addition to scrapped steel hull vessels such as retired shrimp boats. These funds will also allow MGFB to employ divers to visually inspect these reefs as this is a condition of the permitting process.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- - Support and enhance fish and invertebrate species important to recreational and commercial fisheries - Facilitate access and utilization by Mississippi's recreational and commercial fisherman - Enhance recreational diving opportunities - Reduce user group conflicts by expanding artificial reef footprints in marine waters - Ensure that artificial reefs meet the objectives for which they are built - Be consistent with the generally accepted principles of international-Jaw and not create any unreasonable obstruction to navigation
- 11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?
- (A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses
- Yes: The existing sand and mud sea floor in the established artificial reef zone is naturally void of any hard surface or structure. There is no habitat to which sessile organisms might establish, nor cover for motile organisms to use as protection. The proposed artificial reefs will enhance habitat in the area therefore increasing overall diversity and richness. The hard structure will provide large surface areas for invertebrate attachment. The complex structure with its relief will provide many holes and crevices for a variety of species to shelter in.
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- Yes: The reef complexes will support and enhance populations of important fish and invertebrate species associated with artificial reefs that are typically exploited by recreational and commercial fishing activities. This is accomplished by the artificial reef habitats. The resulting increase in available Red Snapper alone would have a huge economic impact adding countless dollars to the Mississippi economy.
- (C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.
- (D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.
- 12. Project Timetable/Milestones
- Year 1- Solicit and accept donated materials and vessels for deployment - Send divers out monthly for 7 months a year to photograph and document the artificial reefs Year 2- Continue as year 1 Year 3- Continue as year 1
- 13. Project Timing
- Short-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- 15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?
- The goal of the MGFB is to build and expand the artificial reef complex for the purpose of creating and enhancing habitat for fish and invertebrate species. This will assist in their overall conservation and management. We accomplish this through direct coordination with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and their Artificial Reef Bureau. The reef complexes will support and enhance populations of important fish and invertebrate species associated with artificial reefs that are typically exploiuted by habitat loss, and recreational and commercial fishing activities. This is accomplished by expanding artificial reef habitats over open water bottoms. The locations of these sites reduce spatial conflict from surrounding waters. The access of these sites is easily attainable by boat. The benefit factor for the sites provide enhancement to the overall health and sustainability of the marine environment. Angler participation has increased over the last few years in the Red Snapper fishery in Mississippi. According to the MDMR records, on a single day in 2020 there were 467 completed trips in Tails n' Scales. With an average of 3.6 anglers per vessel, over 1600 anglers were fishing that day with 80% of the effort focused on artificial reefs. As fishing pressure continues to increase across Mississippi's artificial reefs, the addition of new sites will enhance fishery resources to the maximum extent practicable.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 3
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 7/1/2027
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $25,000
- Travel
- $0
- Architecture & Engineering
- $0
- Legal
- $0
- Consulting
- $0
- Construction
- $125,000
- Site Work
- $0
- Equipment
- $0
- Indirects
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Total
- $150,000
- Application Submission Date
- 06/06/2024
- Fiscal Year
- 2026
- Project Status
- Application Status
- Submitted
- Meets Criteria
- Internal Notes:
- Attachments:
- Hyperlink:
- Attachments