The Grinch hard at work in Houma
December 12, 2015
William Gautreaux
December 16, 2015
Not far from Grand Isle in a bay where dolphins play and seabirds abound, a barge full of rocks floats on the steel-gray water, as a crane digs into them load by load and drops them beneath the surface.
Part of a joint venture between the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana, Shell Oil Company and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the project is an addition to the Independence Island artificial reef.
“This is a great day for the CCA and for the people of Louisiana,” said CCA Louisiana Houma’s president, John Walther. “The innovative design of Independence Island Reef Phase II will take advantage of the natural tidal flow moving in and out of Barataria Pass, making the site an even more attractive habitat for fish, and a better spot for anglers.”
Construction began in late November on the four-acre expansion of the reef, utilizing roughly 7,000 tons of limestone. The original Independence Island Reef, built in the summer of 2011, has become a favorite fishing destination for thousands of anglers.
“This is a great project for Grand Isle, and we appreciate CCA and their partners for making it happen,” said Grand Isle Mayor David Carmadelle. “Anytime we can build habitat in Louisiana and create new fishing spots for anglers and their families to enjoy, that’s a win-win situation.”
Independence Island Reef Phase II is the 18th reef of its kind to be built by CCA Louisiana since 2002.
Publicly unveiled last week, the project is a centerpiece of Shell’s involvement with the CCA, said Shell Deepwater vice president Dwight Johnson.
“As part of our six year commitment to CCA’s Building Conservation Trust, the continued development of Independence Island Reef enhances fisheries habitat and supports coastal restoration.,” Johnson said. “These objectives align with Shell’s ongoing support of coastal sustainability in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast.”
Funding for the project was provided through the LDWF Artificial Reef Development Fund and CCA’s Building Conservation Trust, including the lead gift from Shell. Continued support of CCA’s habitat program is provided by the Paul Candies Family.
CCA and LDWF officials brought photographers and reporters to the site where the final touches on the project were observed.
“We frequently hear from Grand Isle anglers who have had tremendous success fishing on the original Independence Island Reef site,” said CCA Louisiana CEO David Cresson. “If history is any indication, we would expect speckled trout and redfish to populate the site as early as Spring 2016.”
Upon completion, marker buoys will be placed on the site so that anglers can locate the reefs. The location of the new addition is at GPS coordinates 29° 18’ 29.40”, 89° 56’ 00.24”. •
A crane drops rocks into Barataria Bay as part of the Independence Island II reef program co-sponsored by Shell Oil, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the Coastal Conservation Association.
