South Walton Artificial Reef Assn. announcement

Beach Fanatic

Jan 24, '14 · 1:52 PM10,2841

SWARA is excited to share the locations of our Phase 1 reef plan! Soon there will be much much more to do on our perfect beaches. Special thanks go out to Coastal Conservation Association Florida, the Alys Foundation, the Howard Group and the Walton County TDC for their generous assistance in making our vision a reality.

Membership and Donation checks may be made out and mailed to South Walton Artificial Reef Association -- P.O. Box 2482, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Thank You for joining us in Creating Living Reefs for Generations!

Each near shore Fish /Dive area is typically about .65 of a mile from the mean high water line to the northern boundary of the patch. Each 40 acre patch will have (9) 1-2 acre reef sites with 30+ structures per site. We are shooting for a spring 2015 deployment!!!

In addition to the facebook page posts, more information and photos may be found at
http://www.waltonreefs.org

https://www.facebook.com/SouthWaltonArtificialReefAssociation

Edited Jan 24, '14 · 2:03 PM

Replies

Beach FanaticAuthor

Mar 26, '15 · 9:52 AM#27

SWARA video

SWARA is pleased to share this terrific Blue Door Video production and to extend Big Thanks to the featured Founders Club organizations whose generous early support facilitated the required permitting to "Create Living Reefs for Generations"!

[video]www.dropbox.com/s/n6gbpzghsuxbapw/Walt-Andy%20TEAM%20Edit_1_UPDATED.mp4?dl=0[/video]

Edited Mar 26, '15 · 10:08 AM

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 28, '15 · 9:57 AM#282

Lionfish Population Control Plan proposal

Our friends at Emerald Coast Reef Association have authored and submitted a comprehensive Lionfish Population Control Plan to Governor Scott and FFWC. A massive show of public support is needed to convince our state agencies to adopt this program. Please read and sign this petition www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-lionfish-population-control-and-the-search-for-eradication-methods.html

Please help spread the word by sharing!

For more information click link to PDF

View attachment 4.19.15%20Proposal%20Hand-out%20Brochure%20Lionfish%20Tri%20Fold%20Brochure.pdf

LF%20Poster%20Support%20FINAL%20for%20Print.jpg

Edited Apr 28, '15 · 10:06 AM

Beach FanaticAuthor

May 14, '15 · 11:59 AM#29

Senator Gaetz and documentary film crew will be at Destin's Discovery Dive World May 16th 5:00pm for the Lionfish Derby award ceremony!! Please come out and express your support of the Lionfish Population Control program proposal!

http://content.govdelivery.com/ac…/FLFFWCC/bulletins/101bcb5

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jun 10, '15 · 11:14 AM#301

EXCITING announcement

SWARA extends thanks to St.Joe Foundation, Alys Beach Foundation, and Walton County TDC & BCC for providing funding for Grayton Beach Snorkel Reef Deployment! Excerpt from Channel 7 news feature:

Updates will also be posted at
https://www.facebook.com/SouthWaltonArtificialReefAssociation?ref=hl

Edited Jun 10, '15 · 11:19 AM

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jun 17, '15 · 7:16 AM#31

1st Deployments

http://www.waltonoutdoors.com/swara-to-launch-artificial-reef-off-of-grayton-beach-2/

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jun 24, '15 · 9:03 AM#32

Grayton Reef Deployment Update!!!!

Unfortunately, there has been a production glitch in the fabrication of the pilings and our initial shipment has been delayed. We were able to secure a partial shipment from the manufacturer which is being expedited.

We very much hope to receive these materials the 6th of July and have the barge in place off Grayton on or around Friday the 10th of July, weather and seas permitting.
As we get closer to the date, especially w/in 5 days, we will be able to nail down a concrete deployment date.

We are very apologetic for this delay but are still enthusiastic to see the first barge load of reefs deployed in just a couple of weeks!

Kind regards,
SWARA

Edited Jun 24, '15 · 9:06 AM

Beach FanaticAuthor

Sep 30, '15 · 4:10 PM#33

Incredible growth after a mere 2 months!

Beach FanaticAuthor

Oct 1, '15 · 10:32 AM#34

SWARA is thrilled to announce 37 more reef modules going into Turtle Reef at Grayton Beach State Park.
Deployment will commence at dawn on Friday Oct. 2nd continuing through part of Saturday Oct. 3rd!

Beach FanaticAuthor

Oct 6, '15 · 4:19 AM#351

SWARA successfully deployed 38 artificial reefs October 2-3, 2015!

37 snorkel ecosystem towers were added to Turtle Reef at Grayton Beach State Park bringing the total count to 58 snorkel modules in this site.

RS Spence "Always in Our Hearts" memorial reef was deployed nearby in the Grayton Beach nearshore five/dive site. This is a beautifully customized 8' tall snapper habitat tetrahedron in approx. 50-60' water depth.
View attachment 56975

RS Spence mem reef1.JPG