Rio Grande Valley Reef Restoration was selected as a Texan by Nature Conservation Wrangler in 2019. During each Conservation Wrangler program cycle, Texan by Nature provides up to 6 projects with 12-18 months of tailored support in the form of program management, strategic planning, marketing messaging, metrics capture and analysis, professional content production, and partnership development – whatever is needed to accelerate the project. The information below includes results from the time the project was active in the Conservation Wrangler program. It may not reflect the most current program/project information. Please visit https://rgvreef.org for the latest.

PROJECT SUMMARY:

Decades of trawl fishing in the Gulf of Mexico have resulted in the loss of low-relief reef material that is vital to sustaining juvenile fish and other marine species’ survivorship and recruitment. Historically, this low-relief nursery reef was comprised of loosely cemented sandstone, clay, caliche, and associated soft coral cover.

Fish, such as Red Snapper depend on coastal reef structures and are one of the most commercially and recreationally important fish on the coast of Texas. There are over 750,000 licensed saltwater anglers in Texas, more than 44,000 of which are located in the Rio Grande Valley. On average, each angler spends over $1,000 a year.

Since 2014, Friends of Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Reef have been combating reef loss by deploying artificial reefing materials of different concentrations and sizes that act as graduated stepping stones of habitat for marine species. Artificial reef materials range from intentionally sunken vessels to concrete rail ties and cinder blocks.

Located 8 miles offshore of South Padre Island, the 1,650-acre Rio Grande Valley Reef is the largest artificial reef off the Texas coast and contains the only industrial-scale nursery reef in the Gulf of Mexico. The diverse and complex reef substrate provides habitat for Red Snapper of all ages and sizes, in addition to habitat for hundreds of other species of fish, invertebrates, and turtles, such as the endangered Kemp’s Ridley that frequent the reef.

MISSION:
Friends of RGV Reef seeks to share their love for the Gulf of Mexico and its wildlife with coastal communities, tourists, researchers, and amateur anglers young and old. This initiative seeks to increase awareness about Gulf reefs, fisheries conservation, and marine ecology in Texas and beyond. By augmenting an invaluable community resource, Friends of RGV Reef provides an opportunity for anyone to have an up-close encounter with the Gulf’s marine wildlife, including species recovering from overfishing such as Red Snapper and Amberjack. The ongoing recovery of these and other reef species is due, in part, to the artificial reefing efforts made by scores of dedicated volunteers and researchers across the Gulf.

PROJECT IMPACT:

The Rio Grande Valley Reef creates quality reef habitat for many marine species, which in turn provides recreation opportunities for all 28.7 million Texans. An economic impact report model expects the RGV Reef project to:

• Provide 537 jobs to RGV residents
• Generate $45.6 M of economic output
• Accrue $13.9 M in income to RGV residents
• Produce $3.6 M in state and local tax revenues

Artificial reefs are important resources both from an ecological standpoint and an economic standpoint. The RGV Reef Restoration aims to create the largest artificial reef in Texas waters by combining low, medium, and high profile structures. One of the principal objectives of the project is to boost the population of red snapper and offer anglers the opportunity to fish for red snapper year-round.

PARTNERS INVOLVED INCLUDE:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas International Fishing Tournament, EMR International Shipbreaking, Max Nicholas Foundation, Texas Coastal Conservation Association, Brownsville and Rio Grande International Railway, Omnitrax, South Padre Island Economic Development Corporation, Building Conservation Trust – CCA’s Habitat Program, Bryant Industrial Services, Andy Faskin, Paul Veale Jr., Lil Mo Marine Services, Foremost Paving Inc., Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Harte Research Institute, Port of Brownsville, Dr. Richard Kline, and The Ram Foundation

NEEDS:

• Funding: Friends of RGV is seeking financial support to cover marine transport costs and to support staffing, marketing, and operational costs.
• Material Donations: Donations of rail ties, cinder blocks, and other reef substrate are needed to continue building out the reef.
• Partners: Relevant research and education partners will help expand the scientific research base and reach of the project.

TEXAN BY NATURE’S VISION AND SUPPORT: