* Artificial reef association receives grant

The Long Beach Artificial Reef Association (LBARA), headquartered in Brunswick County, has received a $10,000 grant from the FishAmerica Foundation. The grant, given in cooperation with the Coastal Conservation Association -- North Carolina (CCA-NC), is for the Yaupon Reef Restoration and Conservation Project. This project, which will begin later this month, is for the restoration and monitoring of fisheries habitat in North Carolina's coastal waters, specifically the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Artificial Site designated as AR-425. It involves placing and monitoring a group of ultra reef balls on the artificial reef site. The funding for the grant comes from the NOAA Restoration Center and Grady-White Boats.

Since its formation in 1984, the Long Beach Artificial Reef Association has been a leader in local, non-profit, fisheries habitat construction and enhancement. Originally chartered to construct six artificial reefs in the section of Long Bay off Brunswick County, NC, they have constructed and continue to maintain seven artificial reefs in the area. They were the first group in the state to use the concrete reef balls, which have become standard for artificial reefs around the world.

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