Local nonprofit discusses artificial reef restoration, creation with City of Jacksonville

City leaders are working with a local nonprofit to change the ocean life right off our coast.

An artificial reef was recently put in near Ponte Vedra Beach.

Action New Jax Courtney Cole explains the benefits restoring our reefs will bring to the area.

"Jacksonville is a unique area, because we have all of these reefs off shore,” said Joe Kistel.

But Kistel told Action News Jax he’d like to see even more in the Jacksonville area.

"We want to scale up our habitat creation efforts,” Kistel said.

He's the executive director of TISIRI—a nonprofit focused on reef creation, conservation and marine awareness.

Kistel met with the Jacksonville Waterways Commission on Wednesday afternoon to figure out how they can get the resources and financial support from the City to create more artificial reefs in our area.

He told Action News Jax Courtney Cole a lot of the materials they use in artificial reefs are recycled. That means pieces from future demolitions in the city could help with  reef creation in the future.

“By placing the appropriate clinging structure out there, you give invertebrates a chance to attach and grow. And as they grow and grow and grow over the years, you get a very diverse ecosystem that supports all levels of the marine food chain,” Kistel said.

Kistel said the challenge isn't just creating them, but getting the City to help them maintain them, too.

“Offshore reefs are recreational destinations. People go there, they fish and dive. The fact that people utilize these reefs means there's leftover debris from people,” Kistel said.

But those same people who visit the reefs, also bring their dollars with them.

Kistel hopes the possibility for a positive economic impact will encourage the city to invest.

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