\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMartin County has expanded its artificial reef program with the addition of the Boo McCulley Reef, located about 9 miles offshore, using a sunken cargo ship to create a habitat for marine life. Jessica Garland, the coastal program manager, said on Nov. 18 that the county became the beneficiary of a derelict vessel from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and sank the 227-foot-long cargo ship 9 miles off the St. Lucie Inlet into 200 feet of water.Garland said the sunken vessel will now serve as an artificial reef, providing a habitat for fish and a corridor for marine wildlife.”Nine miles out in 200 feet of water, there’s not much there \u2014 just sand. It’s flat desert area in the water. So, we want to provide relief off the sand so the goliath grouper have somewhere to go, the snapper, the mahi mahi,” Garland said.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsThe new reef is expected to benefit fishermen and divers alike. “Out that far, there’s nothing for them other than bottom fish on just sand. By having the reef, there are other fish out there, so fishermen can go,” Garland said. She added that divers can explore “an awesome reef that is a cargo ship.”Named the Boo McCulley Reef, the site honors the late John “Boo” McCulley, who dedicated over 20 years to the Martin County Reef Program. Garland expressed hope that the project will highlight the transformation of a derelict cargo ship into a vibrant marine habitat. “We hope to bring to light that, you know, something ugly as a 227-foot cargo ship that is derelict on the Miami River can bring new life out in the ocean in 200 feet of water, so we can’t wait to see what is there when dives do go diving in six months,” Garland said.The Martin County Reef Program has been in place since the 1970s, and there are more than 100 sites.Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tMARTIN COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Martin County has expanded its artificial reef program with the addition of the Boo McCulley Reef, located about 9 miles offshore, using a sunken cargo ship to create a habitat for marine life.<\/p>\n
Jessica Garland, the coastal program manager, said on Nov. 18 that the county became the beneficiary of a derelict vessel from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and sank the 227-foot-long cargo ship 9 miles off the St. Lucie Inlet into 200 feet of water.<\/p>\n
Garland said the sunken vessel will now serve as an artificial reef, providing a habitat for fish and a corridor for marine wildlife.<\/p>\n
“Nine miles out in 200 feet of water, there’s not much there \u2014 just sand. It’s flat desert area in the water. So, we want to provide relief off the sand so the goliath grouper have somewhere to go, the snapper, the mahi mahi,” Garland said.<\/p>\n