4 new La. artificial reef sites

BATON ROUGE, La. - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced Nov. 12 that the creation of the Lake Borgne Shell Pad, Grand Banks, West Karako Bay, and Cabbage Reef artificial reef sites has begun. The reefs will eventually boost the availability of fish by increasing a hard-bottom habitat allowing more opportunity for larval settlement and biological benefits. The newly-constructed artificial reefs will be created from 880 tons of limestone, 130 reef balls (perforated concrete domes) and more than 80 cubic yards of oyster shells. The sites will be deployed across a broad range of salinities, which are within the optimum range for popular recreational saltwater species like speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. The four reefs were presented to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission on Nov. 7. All current inshore artificial reef sites are protected from oyster harvest. These reefs are being built through a partnership between LDWF and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. The artificial reef program will “provide a more productive fish habitat while enhancing recreational fishing in Lake Borgne and the Mississippi Sound,” said Kristi Trail, executive director of the foundation. The nearest launch location is Rigolets Marina in Slidell, La. (Source: La. WL&F 11/12/19) http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/43154