Coastal Conservation Association’s REEF Louisiana Program, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Danos, and Reefmaker-Walter Marine, completed construction on the West Delta 79 Reef a few weeks ago near Plaquemines Parish.

The new reef at West Delta 79 consists of 12 - 15ft tall and 24 - 8ft tall “Super Reefs” designed by Reefmaker which were placed in 6 separate clusters. These “Super Reefs” are pyramid-shaped structures comprised of concrete, steel rebar and limestone rocks that mimic natural reefs and support many varieties of marine life, making them a perfect fisheries habitat material.

This is the third CCA REEF Louisiana project using “Super Reef” materials, the first being South Timbalier 63, constructed in October 2024.

In addition to Danos, funding for the West Delta 79 Reef comes from CCA’s REEF Louisiana Program along with matching funds provided by LDWF’s Artificial Reef Trust Fund.

The West Delta Reef is the fourth reef completed this year. Earlier this year, CCA completed the expansion of South Timbalier 165 (Jacob Meek Reef), Duncan’s Reef near Cocodrie, and Goose Point in Lake Pontchartrain. REEF Louisiana has roughly six more reef projects planned in 2025.

CCA’s REEF Louisiana Program has just overhauled their website with the help of their friends at Natrx to provide easily downloadable coordinates for all the past projects. Visit ccalouisiana.com/conservation/artificial-reefs to find all the sites. Coordinates follow the Google Earth map format of WGS84, which is compatible with most boat navigation systems. The entire catalog of CCA’s artificial reef installations can be downloaded onto an SD card and uploaded into your favorite navigational system.

“Once again great things can happen when you combine the work and resources of non-profits, private partners and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries,” said Rad Trascher, Executive Director and CEO of CCA Louisiana. “These projects would not be possible without groups like Danos and the Department helping us every step of the way. And now, we just made it even easier to go find these sites and enjoy the bounty they produce!”

CCA’s REEF Louisiana Program is an initiative aimed at replacing vital fisheries habitat which has been lost, such as oil and gas platforms being removed. This is a collaborative effort between private partners, government agencies and a non-profit organization. Over the years, CCA has used items such as these Super Reefs, pieces of decommissioned oil and gas platforms, highway barriers, recycled structural concrete and crushed concrete, to rebuild fisheries habitat.

Coordinates for West Delta 79 Reef are now published at ccalouisiana.com/conservation/artificial-reefs/.

For more information about this reef or CCA Louisiana’s REEF Louisiana Program, contact Rad Trascher at (225) 952-9200.