Right Column

Mineral Resources Management Division - Rigs to Reefs Workshop

Dave Parker

Mr. Parker is a Senior Biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game's Marine Region in Long Beach. He currently supervises the Department's Artificial Reef Program and is a member of the Interagency Decommissioning Working Group. He has been involved with a variety of Southern California nearshore invertebrate and sportfish resource and management issues with the Department for over 25 years.

~Submitted by Mr. Parker ~

The California Department of Fish and Game has constructed over 30 artificial reefs off southern California since the late 1950's. While a variety of materials have been used over the years, quarry rock and concrete rubble have predominated due to their characteristics of stability, longevity, substrate quality, and availability. Many of the reefs have been built to provide new angling opportunities in areas with limited reef habitat, but several were constructed to test the effects of reef design factors on the development of biological communities. An ongoing research project is examining the residency characteristics of several reef fish species to help determine these reefs contributions to fish populations. The program has been supported with funds from the Sportfish Restoration Act, Wildlife Conservation Board, Legislative actions, and, especially in recent years, donated materials and services. While no new reef sites have been created since 1992, the Department has continued to make a number of additions to several existing reefs with donated materials and seeks opportunities to create new reefs and expand existing sites. In accordance with State and Federal laws, the Department must secure a number of permits and approvals in order to create a reef site. The Department also follows a set of internal procedures to facilitate selection and evaluation of potential sites and materials. According to the Federal law under which artificial reef permits are issued, liability connected with the reef site rests with the reef permittee, but is presumed to be limited, if the reef is properly planned and permitted, and permit conditions are followed. To date, no liability claims have resulted from the Department's reefs. The issue of liability may need further clarification by legal review and analysis with a view toward particular designs and types of reefs.