HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — In Hernando County, planning is underway for new artificial reefs to be placed along the county's coast.
The cost of the project is covered through the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund. After a BP oil spill in 2010, a federal law called the RESTORE Act, was created in 2012. Roughly $2 million dollars from that fund will go towards this project.
A dozen artificial reef balls will be placed inshore and offshore along Hernando County.
"It's basically just a small dome with holes in it and they vary from 3 feet up to 8 feet tall and varying weights," Barry Vance, president and CEO of Water and Air Research, explained.
Vance said the project is now in its conceptual design and permitting phase. It could be over a year until the reefs are placed in the water.
"Final design plans are looking at probably the mid-to-late 2024," Vance said. "The permit approvals are expected in early 2025."
The reefs will help underwater ecosystems thrive and will likely become an attraction in itself for snorkeling, scuba diving00 and fishing. Along with helping the environment, the reefs help sustain the county's ecotourism industry.
"One of the top things that this county offers is fishing," John Athanason, tourism marketing specialist for Florida's Adventure Coast, explained. "Fishing off of Hernando beach and Hernando coast is some of the best fishing, I've been told, in the world."
More reefs mean more fish. Local angler and conservationist Dennis Kelly is thrilled these manmade reefs are coming to the county.
"If you're into nature, this is a great spot," Kelly said. "Snorkeling bay scallops, scuba diving, fishing, boating."
Kelly is a part of Salt Strong, a national organization of saltwater fishermen. Kelly shared that if it's backed by science to help our environment, it's a cause he can get behind.
"The reefs are going to attract microorganisms in anything benthic that will attach to it which will in turn, work its way up the food chain, which then you'll have predator fish and that's what people are here for."
Regardless of how much time you spend with a fishing rod in your hand, those who visit and live in Hernando County will enjoy the benefits of the reefs, even if they don't see them.
"Even though most people won't see the reefs, the benefit will work its way in because this is the nursery for the fishing industry," Kelly said.
This isn't the first artificial reef project Hernando County has taken on. The Bendickson Reef is located 20 nautical miles west of Hernando Beach and was installed back in 1995.
Malique Rankin is a general assignment reporter with 10 Tampa Bay. You can email her story ideas at mrankin@10tampabay.com and follow her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.