Removal of Derelict Fishing Gear on Artificial Reefs

in the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves

Florida's Aquatic Preserves

The Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves (CHAP) is part of more than 4 million acres of submerged lands and coastal uplands managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection. Forty-two aquatic preserves statewide are set aside to be protected in perpetuity and maintained in their natural conditions for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

The overarching goals for these lands include protecting and enhancing resources, habitats and water quality; restoring areas to their natural conditions; and encouraging sustainable use and active stewardship. With 38 of these aquatic preserves found along Florida’s coastline in the nearshore waters of marshes and estuaries, they are at the cross section of human and environmental interaction. Managing these protected waters is critical for maintaining their ecological and aesthetic value.

Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves

Totaling almost 180,000 acres of submerged lands, CHAP encompasses five aquatic preserves: Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound-Charlotte Harbor, Cape Haze, Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass.

Staff manage these state lands through routine monitoring of water quality and resources - such as seagrasses and nesting colonial wading and diving birds - in addition to providing education materials, outreach presentations and scientific data upon request. They partner with the Friends of Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves, which supports water quality monitoring, restoration efforts and other projects. Eco-ventures, including snorkeling and nature boat tours, are offered to the public to provide hands-on experiences in the aquatic preserves.

Find out more about  CHAPs eco-ventures  or how you can become part of  The Friends of Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves .

Artificial Reefs

Florida has one of the most active artificial reef programs among the Gulf and Atlantic coastal states involved in artificial reef development. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports more than 3,300 planned public artificial reefs have been placed within state and federal waters along the Florida coast since the 1940s. Four artificial reefs are located in popular fishing areas within Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves: Danger Reef, Old Tire Reef, Charlotte Harbor Reef and Cape Haze Reef. 

Artificial reefs are human-made structures intended to replicate characteristics of natural reefs and are constructed with materials such as rock, concrete, wood, old tires and even sunken vessels. When placed on the ocean floor - particularly in areas with few resources - they can promote marine life. By increasing habitat for fish and invertebrate species, artificial reefs enhance recreational and charter fishing and diving opportunities, resulting in economic benefits to local communities. Artificial reefs can reduce conflict between users as they are often deployed and managed by local coastal counties. The benefits associated with these artificial reefs make them a popular destination for divers, snorkelers and anglers alike.

Hover over the artificial reefs listed below to see their location within Charlotte Harbor!  Learn more about the artificial reefs within and around the aquatic preserves .

Artificial Reefs & Derelict Fishing Gear

Marine debris - such as plastics, derelict fishing gear and derelict vessels - is a severe problem facing coastal and estuarine species and habitats. The nearshore artificial reef structures found along Florida’s southwest coast are heavily used by both visitors and residents because they are easily accessible and located in protected waters. This makes the reefs susceptible to the negative impacts of marine debris in the form of derelict fishing gear.

Common debris items such as lost or discarded netting and monofilament fishing line become entangled on natural and artificial reefs, which degrades the habitat. Sponges and other organisms may sustain physical damage while artificial structures overcome by debris will be unable to support assemblages of fish and other sessile organisms that depend on the substrate. 

Netting and monofilament can affect countless marine species including reef fish, commercially and recreationally important fin-fish, rays, dolphin, sea turtles, manatees and a variety of invertebrates and birds. Entanglement and ingestion of the debris pose the greatest hazard to these species, often resulting in injury or death.

When hindered by marine debris, artificial reefs cannot provide their intended benefits. It is crucial to keep the reefs free of debris to maintain both their environmental and economic value.

Over time, CHAP staff observed fishing gear - such as nets and line - accumulating on the artificial reefs within the boundaries of the aquatic preserves. Staff prioritized these four locations for cleaning. 

Fishing for Energy

These factors led CHAP staff to apply for and receive a National Fish and Wildlife Federation's (NFWF) Fishing for Energy grant in 2019. The grant allowed CHAP staff to assess, remove and monitor derelict fishing gear on four artificial reefs in Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves.

NFWF's Fishing for Energy Program - sponsored by NOAA’s marine debris program in partnership with Covanta and Schnitzer Steel - provides a cost-free solution for communities and anglers to reduce derelict fishing gear in marine environments.

In 2019, the NFWF awarded 10 grants totaling over a million dollars to reduce derelict fishing gear in targeted U.S. coastal waters. DEP's Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves was one of the 10 grantees chosen nationwide.

Project Partners

Removing derelict fishing gear from the artificial reefs would not have been possible without the support and work from local partners, including Florida Marine Works, Fantasea Watersports Inc., Charlotte County, West Coast Inland Navigation District, Lee County, Lee County Scientific Research Dive Team, Lee County Sheriffs Office, Scuba Quest and Pelican Media.

Funding for this project was provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Fishing for Energy Program, with support from NOAA Marine Debris Program, Covanta and Schnitzer Steel.

The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of neither the U.S. government nor the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or its funding sources.

Assessing, Removing and Recycling Marine Debris

Assessing

Prior to removing debris, CHAP staff assessed the condition of the four artificial reefs. This involved using GPS and buoys to map the artificial reefs, and written, photo and video documentation of their current condition.

The Lee County Volunteer Scientific Research Dive Team - a group of local residents engaged in diving throughout the area - was tasked with initial evaluations of the amount and location of debris at each site.  Eight volunteer divers evaluated the four artificial reefs over six days, totaling 122 volunteer hours. This information was passed on to the removal company.

These volunteer divers also assessed the reefs three months after the removal efforts and found a few new anchors and line. Six divers tallied a total of 146 hours and 35 dives for this post-removal monitoring. This group will also assess the reefs one year later to document and remove any new debris items.  

The estuarine waters of southwest Florida can have tough diving conditions with poor visibility and strong currents, but this did not prevent volunteers from getting out to the reefs. Divers were able to evaluate each reef while crossing paths with a few of the reef inhabitants including spade fish, groupers, mangrove snappers, blue crab, crown conch and red encrusting sponges. A special thank you to Charlotte County and the West Coast Inland Navigation District for providing boats and captains for these assessing and monitoring purposes. 

Removing

Following the assessment of all four reefs, commercial divers were contracted out from Florida Marine Works and Fantasy Water Sports to remove marine debris such as monofilament fishing line, terminal tackle and netting. Debris removed from these reefs was documented, sorted and weighed. This work was completed by setting out a grid line for divers to follow. Pairs of divers swam along the grid line finding all matters of debris. From here, they would either mark heavy debris with buoys or tie smaller debris into clusters for roving divers to retrieve. In addition to removing and documenting all debris, the commercial divers noted species that were using the reefs and any entangled individuals.

Overall, 4,262 pounds of debris were removed from the four artificial reefs within CHAP, including 257 anchors, 32 fishing poles, 236 feet of fishing line and 2,060 feet of rope. At least 20 nets were collected, weighing 1,185 pounds and accounting for more than 25% of the total weight of marine debris collected!

Click through the artificial reefs below to see the debris collected and species seen at each reef.

Recycling

All materials were sorted, weighed and then disposed of at the Covanta Lee's Waste-to-Energy Facility. The marine debris removed from Old Tire, Charlotte Harbor, Cape Haze and Danger reefs was combusted to make steam for electricity generation.

The ash was processed to recover metals for recycling, and all gases were collected, filtered and cleaned. Annually, this facility processes more than 622,000 tons of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Call to Action

Everyone can do their part to prevent debris from harming wildlife and the natural environment, including the estuaries.

  • Follow Reduce, Reuse and Recycle guidelines.
  • Whether enjoying the beach or out on the water take home everything you brought with you.
  • When fishing, retrieve all line and dispose of at recycling receptacles located at public fishing piers and boat ramps.
  • If you hook a bird while fishing, don't cut the line. Reel in the bird, remove the hook and release the bird.
  • Avoid anchoring on natural and artificial reefs to avoid entanglement, losing your anchor and leaving behind line debris.
  • Avoid casting nets on the artificial reef structure.
  • Avoid casting fishing line or nets toward unintended wildlife.
  • If you see wildlife entanglement or injury, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline at 888-404-FWCC.

Watch the videos below to learn more about this project and what you can do to help prevent marine debris.

Additional Resources

Explore the links below to learn more about artificial reefs, marine debris, wildlife entanglement and boating in Southwest Florida.