CCA & LDWF Complete New Near-shore Artificial Reef in Gulf of Mexico
Keith Lusher 06.05.23
The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana (CCA), in cooperation with Chevron and the LDWF, installed a new artificial reef. The reef will be named the Jacob Meek Reef. This is the first of two projects to be completed in May by CCA and its partners. The South Timbalier Block 77 Reef will be constructed later this month.
Both reefs are integral components of the REEF Louisiana program, initiated by the CCA, which strives to restore vital fish habitats that are lost during the removal of oil and gas platforms from the water. These newly designated reef sites were formerly occupied by platforms that were recently removed, and were pointed out by local anglers as the perfect spots to place reefs.
The Jacob Meek Reef is 45 miles south of Terrebonne Bay, is in about 91 feet of water, and is reachable from a variety of por
ts from Grand Isle to Cocodrie. CCA deployed 45 specially designed 6’ x 6’ “fish houses” at this location using a modular grid design. The concrete structures were spread out in columns and rows over 2-3 acres in an effort to optimize bottom contours and water conditions. The design also created overlapping “feeding halos” where a variety of fish species may thrive. In these depths, it is likely that a diverse range of fish could call these reefs home, including species like red snapper, cobia and more.
The project was built to honor the life of avid Baton Rouge angler and CCA member Jacob Meek. The site was chosen by Ja
cob’s parents John and Tiffany Meek, as the platforms in S. Timbalier 165 were some of Jacob’s favorite to fish with family and friends.
“Jacob was our 19-year-old son, he passed away 4 years ago in March, and was an avid outdoorsman and that’s putting it mildly,” said Jacob’s father, John. “He was a very passionate fisherman, in fact his nickname was the Fish Whisperer. So, I couldn’t think of a more fitting tribute to Jacob than to establish an artificial reef in his name.”
His wife, Tiffany, echoed his statement about Jacob’s nickname.
“We called him the Fish Whisperer because any time we went out, regardless of whether the rest of us were catching, he always managed to bring in the big fish,” she said. “He could just find them. He was very passionate about being on the water.”
The GPS center point coordinates for the Jacob Meek Reef (South Timbalier 165) are 28°34’41.882N, -90°34’30.426W and South Timbalier 77 Reef are 28°46’38.83N, -90°36’33.911W.
