Happy International Scuba Day! Life is better under the water! Explore the incredible biodiversity just off the coast of Anna Maria Island, where vibrant reef habitats are home to goliath grouper, sea stars, corals, sponges, and countless other marine species. Manatee County’s artificial reef program has helped create thriving underwater habitats through the installation of reef balls, providing shelter and structure for marine life while enhancing our coastal ecosystems. Ready to dive in? Visit the Manatee County website for more information on our reefs, and locations! bit.ly/4xgr2pM

133 tons of new habitat are now beneath the surface! 🐠 This month, Manatee County deployed 56 artificial reef balls at Bridge Reef, adding 266,000 pounds (133 tons) of new habitat for marine life. Each reef ball weighs between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds and will provide shelter, feeding areas and nursery habitat for fish and other marine species for years to come. This project was funded through the 2025–2026 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Artificial Reef Construction Grant, awarded in early 2026. The reef balls were supplied by Reef Innovations and deployed offshore by O'Sullivan Marine's Galway Girl. While Manatee County has been building artificial reefs since the 1960s, this marks the 10th deployment at Bridge Reef since the site was established in 2020, continuing to strengthen our local marine ecosystem and recreational fishing opportunities.