The Organization for Artificial Reefs and the Coastal Conservation Association Announce the Deployment of CCA Billy's Barge

Carrabelle, FL-The Organization for Artificial Reefs (OAR) and the Coastal Conservation Association Building Conservation Trust  (CCA/BCT) announce an upcoming reef deployment titled “CCA Billy’s Barge” in honor of Bill Solberger, a longtime OAR Board and Research Dive Team member. A 110 foot long construction barge has been selected as the artificial reef material and will be deployed Thursday July 28, 2016 in the Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System, weather permitting. The barge was the watercraft in the movie Anaconda. Over the years the engines, fuel system and all hazardous material have been removed and it was used as a construction barge. The Anaconda will have a new role in entertaining divers and recreational fishers in Franklin County. This opportunity for OAR and CCA/BCT to establish a marine habit for the angling public resulting in an economic impact for the local community.

“Billy was a true marine enthusiast, and it is an honor to recognize our friend and board member with an artificial reef for the public to enjoy,” said Alan Richardson, OAR Chairman. “For every dollar spend locally on artificial reefs, $138 comes back into the local community. Billy would have been proud of the economic impact of this project and the access it will provide to local divers and anglers.”  

Funding for the project comes from the Solberger family, OAR, CCA Florida and the CCA Music City Chapter though the CCA Building Conservation Trust. This is a privately funded project with no government funding involved. OAR will provide their Research Dive Team to perform the required dives to documentation of the deployment and Water Marine of Orange Beach, AL is the contractor for the project.

“This collaborative project reflects CCA’s commitment to recreational fisherman and to establishing fishing habitats for the residents and visitors of the Forgotten Coast,” said Bill Mickler, of the CCA Big Bend Chapter. "CCA Billy’s Barge, being only 10 miles southeast of Dog Island, is reachable by smaller boats providing access for local anglers to enjoy this exceptional reef, strategically placed on the barren sand bottom. This site will serve as additional habit for game fish species transitioning from the grass flats fish nurseries to the deeper water reef areas further off shore. The typical game fish attracted to areas of this magnitude are pelagics such as kingfish, cobia, and amberjack, which for many anglers in our area, are out of reach.” The proposed latitude and longitude coordinates for the site is 29 39.670 N- 84 30.000 W.

OAR advocates to create and sustain artificial reef systems, through public engagement and education on the marine issues impacting the region. CCA seeks to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources and works to conserve, promote, and enhance the present and future availability of coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public. For more information or to join OAR or CCA please visit http://oarreefs.org or www.joincca.org.

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