Reports

Artificial Reef Placement for Red Snapper (PDF, 258KB)
Shipley, J. B. and J. H. Cowan, Jr. 2010. Artificial reef placement: a red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, ecosystem and fuzzy-rule based model. Fisheries Management and Ecology, Blackwell Publishing.

BOERME Notice to Lessees (PDF, 143KB)
BOERME. 2010. Decommissioning guidance and wells and platforms. Notice to lessees and operators of federal oil and gas leases and pipeline right-of-way holders in the outer continental shelf, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region. NTL No. 2010-G05. Bureau of Environmental Regulations, Management, and Enforcement, New Orleans, LA.

FME Shipley (PDF, 3MB)
Shipley, J.B. and M.F. Shipley. 2009. A fuzzy-rule based model for artificial reef placement related to managing red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) ecosystems in Alabama waters. Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, Vol.8, No.2.

Guidelines for Marine Artificial Reef Materials, 2004 (PDF, 9.5MB)
Lukens, R. R. and Carrie Selberg, editors. 2004. Guidelines for marine artificial reef materials, 2nd Edition. Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. Ocean Springs, MS.

Rigs-to-Reefs Policy 2000-073 (PDF, 169KB)
Dauterive, L. 2000. Rigs-to-Reefs policy, progress, and perspective. OCS Report MMS 2000-073. U.S. Minerals Management Service. New Orleans, LA.

PBS&J Archeology Survey-HI-323 (PDF, 4.2MB)
PBS&J. 2010. Archeology and remote-sensing survey for placement of an artificial reef in High Island Block A323. Document No. 100104, Atkins Consultants North America, PBS&J Job No. 100014689. Austin, TX.

Rigs-to-Reefs Addendum (PDF, 51KB)
MMS. 2009. Rigs-to-Reefs policy addendum: enhanced reviewing and approval guidelines in response to Post-Hurricane Katrina regulatory environment. U.S. Minerals Management Service. New Orleans, LA.

Texas Clipper reef economic evaluation report-2010 (PDF, 4.11MB)
Mostafa, M., R. Otero, Y. Chi, and V. Cassenova. 2010. Texas Clipper reef economic evaluation program final report. University of Texas – Brownsville. Brownsville, TX.

Texas Clipper monitoring annual report – Year 1 (PDF, 381KB)
Hicks, D. and C. Cintra-Buenrostro. 2008. Annual progress report for Texas Clipper reef biological monitoring and evaluation program – Year 1. University of Texas – Brownsville. Brownsville, TX.

Texas Clipper monitoring annual report – Year 2 (PDF, 256KB)
Hicks, D. and C. Cintra-Buenrostro. 2009. Annual progress report for Texas Clipper reef biological monitoring and evaluation program – Year 2. University of Texas – Brownsville. Brownsville, TX.

The Gulf accounts for 80% of all shrimp harvested,
62% of all oysters harvested and more than 1.4 billion pounds
of annual seafood production.

More than 140 petroleum platforms—with more on the way—have found new purpose as marine habitat in the Texas Artificial Reef Program.

Texas boasts 66 artificial reef sites ranging from 5 to 100 miles from shore in the Gulf of Mexico—that’s 3,440 acres of prime fishing and diving adventure.

Seven reef sites within nine nautical miles of shore serve as accessible nearshore fishing and diving opportunities.

Red snapper, the most popular game fish in Texas Gulf waters, thrive around artificial reef sites. Scientific divers see red snapper at TPWD artificial reef sites during four of every ten visits to these locations.

With a few exceptions, the floor of the Gulf of Mexico is flat and bare except for artificial reef sites. Nearly 200 marine fish species have been seen on these complex, stable, and durable habitats among artificial reef structures.

Sixteen of 23 U.S. coastal states (or 70 percent) maintain artificial reef programs.

The Texas Clipper ship reef off South Padre Island generates more than $1 million for the local economy from anglers and $1.4–$2 million from divers. Anglers spend on average $460 per fishing trip, while divers spend upwards of $2,000 per dive.

Thirteen ships have been intentionally sunk as part of the Texas Artificial Reef Program, the largest being the USTS Texas Clipper. She’s 473 feet long—that’s 1.5 times the length of a football field.

map Interactive Reef Map