Banner

Home  |  Join ECRA  |  About ECRA  |  Contact ECRA  |  ECRA Forum

 

ECRA Mission Statement:

The Emerald Coast Reef Association (ECRA) Inc.  Researches, Monitors, and Evaluates the effectiveness of artificial reefs as tools in the conservation, development, and enhancement of reef fish stocks in Gulf of Mexico waters adjacent to Destin, Florida.

Brief History of ECRA:

Jason
In March 2003, Jason Smith created a website and forum called the "Emerald Coast Reef Association (ECRA)". By June 2003, a small group of members expressed an interest in deploying and researching artificial reefs. Jason Smith and Gary Parsons spearheaded the effort to turn ECRA into a "Non-Profit" organization which could obtain grants and donations in order to perform reef research. In January 2004, ECRA received its designation as a 501 (c) (3) "Non-Profit" organization, and officially became the "Emerald Coast Reef Association Inc."


Artificial Reef Building Program:


Transfer CageCrateCage on BottomDrum

In 2006, ECRA's Artificial Reef Building Program was started by Candy Hansard. She firmly believes that in order to create a sustainable fishery, we must build artificial reefs. More Reefs = More Fish.  The seafloor in the Gulf of Mexico on the Florida Panhandle is 95% sand. Without Artificial Reefs, the Destin Area wouldn't be able to continue to sustain Recreational Fishing or the $6 Billion Dollar Annual Economic Benefit Recreational Fishing brings to Florida's Economy. In her desire to improve the fishery, she also independently began a Private Artificial Reef Building program to help create habitat for fish that would not experience the level of pressure that the public reefs endure. This program benefits the entire fishery and the fishermen that have invested in their own private reefs. Every Artificial Reef takes pressure off other reefs and provides more opportunities for our marine ecosystem to thrive.

ECRA Activities:

  1. Deploy Artificial Reefs to provide habitat necessary to create a sustainable Fishery

  2. Provide a Free Forum, open to the public, to provide education and information exchange

  3. Provide a forum for Members to exchange information

  4. Maintain a Public Artificial Reef Data Collection Forum

  5. Survey & Document Local Reefs

  6. Artificial Reef Research

  7. Maintain a Public Artificial Reef Data Collection Forum

  8. Participate in Fishery Meetings

  9. Sponsor Fishing / Spearfishing tournaments

  10. Sponsor Scuba Diver's Reef "clean-up"

  11. Sponsor Public Education:

    1. Hurricane Preparation for Boaters

    2. Reef Fish Identification

    3. Reef Fish Venting & De-hooking

    4. Artificial Reef Information & Education

    5. Lion Fish Awareness & Education

    6. Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Information

    7. Fishing Techniques

    8. Boating Safety

    9. Educational Opportunities for Divers

    10. and more topics than we can list!

  12. Host Social Events to provide Member Interaction

  13. Hosted a Reef Coloring Contest (Over 450 entries!)

  14. Hosted an ECRA game booth for the Boy Scouts of America