Escambia County Deploys New Artificial Reef with Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge Materials

Escambia County deployed more than 380 tons of concrete from the old Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge this week to create a new artificial reef, providing an excellent habitat for marine life and a new site for divers to explore. 

The Escambia County Marine Resources Division, Engineering Department and Russell Marine, LLC deployed 46 pieces of concrete from the Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge, which was damaged during Hurricane Sally in 2020. An observer from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was present to document the new artificial reef.

The Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge Reef was deployed in Escambia County's Nearshore East Artificial Reef Site at 30 degrees 17.790 minutes north; 087 degrees 13.475 minutes west. The reef is 5 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass. Water depth is 43 feet with approximately 8 feet of vertical relief.

The concrete pieces used in the new artificial reef have complex shapes, which provide excellent habitat for marine life species such as snapper, grouper and triggerfish. The Escambia Nearshore East Artificial Reef Site also serves as an important spawning site for Gulf flounder.

For a full list and map of Escambia County's artificial reefs, visit myescambia.com/artificialreefs.