Taylor County Artificial Reef Program Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 6:30PM
Key Speaker: Bill Lindberg ( Bill LIndberg Home Page | email Bill Lindberg), University of Florida IFAS Department of Fisheries and Florida Sea Grant
Attendance:
Billy Pillow
Benji Tutten
G.W. Pridgeon
Krystle Pridgeon
Jim Hollis - Jim Hollis Scuba 7
Michael Calhoun
Lonnie Houck
Sonny Parker
Larry Beggs - Reef Ball Foundation
Joey Landreneau
Jake Landreneau
Tammy Taylor
Rick Causey
Patti Causey
Bruce Ratliff
Chuck Olson
Rene Marillo
Bill Horn, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission plus Justin Sapp, Clay Olson
Keynote Speaker: Bill Lindberg, University of Florida Professor of Fisheries & project leader for the Steinhatchee Fisheries Management Area (SFMA): Overview of Steinhatchee Fisheries Management Area (SFMA) & Taylor County’s role in developing the northern public fishing zone.
Followed by Presentation Q & A:
Needs:
1. SFMA Reef(s) size, orientation, and spacing
a. Determine size of area (500ft. X 500ft.? … ¼ sq. mile?)
b. Shape of specific reef site within permitted area (square? Triangle? Rectangular?)
c. Spacing (see handouts)
i. Buckeye 2003 Tetrahedrals (Sets of 3, 200 feet apart)
ii. Steinhatchee Reef (groups of 4 & 16, 88 feet apart)
iii. Spacing for fishing (grouper = lower); Moderate challenge? lame duck shoot? Suggestions … Lindberg, Larry Beggs, Bill Horn
Notes:
2. Staging and Deployment
a. Currently, St. Marks is only cost-effective option; other options??
b. Specific Requirements for Steinhatchee River staging (storing cubes & balls) and deployment (transporting via tug boat and barge); any ideas??
c. SFMA-specific requirements: establish protocol, requirements, contacts
Notes:
3. Reef Site Funding
a. FWC funding: 60k competitive max, January application notice, & forecast (Bill Horn)
b. Other funding sources? Corporate? Volunteer Funding Committee?
c. Inter-county cooperation with Wakulla, Dixie (David O’steen), etc. Can Dixie apply?
4. Buckeye Reef Re-permit: Vote to continue
a. Positive: with SIDE SCAN SONAR (1 square mile), relatively easy; allows use of gas company equipment and culverts
b. Negative: requires increased activity among volunteer members
5. PLAN OF ACTION
a. ** Reconnaissance DIVE with ALL Members: January 14, 2006 **
b. Newsletter? Email forum? Phone number exchange? Gear request?
c. Inshore reef discussion? Birdracks?