Funds under this grant award will be used to create and enhance finfish habitats in south carolina s marine and estuarine waters

This $855,032 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) will be used by the Natural Resources South Carolina Department (SCDNR) to create and enhance finfish habitats in South Carolina's marine and estuarine waters. The project will develop new artificial reefs and oyster reefs to increase the amount of productive hard bottom habitat, enhancing fishery stocks of popular recreational species like snapper, grouper, red drum, and speckled trout. This will provide additional accessible fishing opportunities for saltwater recreational anglers, generating economic benefits for local communities. The project will also promote stewardship and conservation of these areas by engaging participants and volunteers in restoration and management activities. The award period is from July 2, 2025 to July 1, 2026.

This project will provide continued development of marine essential fish habitat through the creation and enhancement of artificial reefs in south carolinas coastal and offshore waters and the development of oyster reefs in estuarine waters. This project will increase the amount of productive hard bottom habitat in south carolinas estuarine, coastal, and offshore waters. Creating new reef communities will enhance fishery stocks of the most popular recreational offshore species, such as snapper and grouper, and inshore species like red drum and speckled trout. Saltwater recreational anglers will be provided with additional productive fishing habitat located in readily accessible locations along the coast. These increased fishing opportunities, in turn, increase economic benefits to local communities by allowing additional anglers to utilize the resource. Stewardship and conservation of these areas will be promoted by allowing participants and volunteers an active role in restoration and management activities.