Marine Sanctuary Presentation
Navarre Beach Monthly Leaseholders Meeting
Saturday, April 17, 2010 at NB Marine Science Station
Mike and Nancy Sandler, both avid divers – and he, a retired Chief, Air Force Special Operations Diver, doing scientific research around the world – were kind enough to provide an overview of the proposed Sanctuary. The Marine Sanctuary Committee falls under the auspices of the NB Chamber of Commerce Foundation so that charitable donations may be received.
In 1999, the idea for an artificial underwater reef and marine sanctuary surfaced during planning for the new State Park. Unfortunately, the Park Service ran low on funding and it was decided to repair the old pier instead. After Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, the NB County Park was established in 2008 and the sanctuary plan was revitalized.
There are three phases to the Plan: I) Gulf side snorkeling and diving reefs; II) Two Soundside snorkeling and diving reefs; and III) a Gulf side observation pier.
DEP permits are completed and at the County; they are now waiting for the Army Corp of Engineers permitting. After that, the reefs can be finished within six months if they have funding. The proposed timeline for reef completion is Fall 2010-Spring 2011 for completion of Phase I & II and December 2012 for Phase III. The reefs will mature in two years.
Benefits of the Marine Sanctuary are increased biodiversity (think of the reefs as an underwater garden and fish nursery), tourism dollars as a result of increased amenities, numerous educational opportunities, better fishing, and growth of a new cottage industry for diving and snorkeling. The reefs will be no touch/no take but the fish will disperse into the Gulf. Neither hurricanes nor the proposed Navarre Pass will affect the reefs.
One fascinating fact Mike Sandler discussed was about oysters-they spend their lives filtering water-taking in sea water and sediment (making pearls) and spitting out clean water. One oyster can filter 10-50 gallons in a 24 hour period and it’s expected in 2 years, that two million gallons will be filtered in the Sound.
The artificial reef design consists of three 5 foot diameter concrete discs with Florida limestone, stacked like pancakes on a pole, sunk deep into the sea floor, with the protrusion 6 feet below the mean low water tide line so it won’t affect boating. The discs can be stacked widely or narrowly, dependent on what kind of marine life is to be attracted. Discs are then placed every 10 feet in a checkerboard pattern; 40 discs are planned for the Soundside reef. Pensacola Beach is in the process of building their reef which will be 100 feet wide x 300 feet long.
So, how can we help? Donate if you can-its tax deductible and it only costs $160,000 for the entire reef system and if all three reefs are deployed at the same time, the manufacturer will waive the $5,000 charge for each visit.
Mike Sandler also asks for us all to “talk it up” to “make Navarre Snorkelicious” - see www.navarrebeachmarinesanctuary.com for more information and see previous posting for pictures.