The Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation Reef The Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation funds the construction of artificial reef cells that are then donated to the Palm Beach County Artificial Reef Program for placement on sites in the ocean off Jupiter, Florida. These sites are permitted by the Army Corps of Engineers for artificial reef construction. The Foundation was created to honor the memory of Andrew Harris who was struck by a boat while snorkeling in the Jupiter Inlet on June 8, 2014. The foundation’s work will help assure the long-term health and vibrancy of the local marine environment where Andrew loved to dive and fish. The Foundation’s 2015 summer project is the construction of a new northern Palm Beach County reef built with forty 6’ x 8’ x 8’ concrete artificial REEF CELL modules at a cost of approximately $120,000. The 2016 summer project will be built with up to 100 modules off Juno Beach. The unique REEF CELL design, rising eight feet from the sea floor, will create highly functional reef structures that will quickly begin to look like Bahamian coral heads. Twenty REEF CELL modules had been completed by the end of May, 2015- go to http://andrewredharrisfoundation.org to see pictures. The new reefs will be built on offshore sites that are vast underwater sand plains. The Foundation will continue to build productive new reefs on unproductive sites off the shores of northern Palm Beach County. Our goal is to help the marine habitat can keep pace with the increasing pressure on it from a variety of destructive influences including population growth and climate change. The community will benefit in terms of personal enjoyment and satisfaction in being able to take part in this effort to help build the strength of the marine environment that is the key to the south Florida lifestyle. Additional funding is needed and 100% goes to reef construction- please pitch in! The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) has stated that artificial reefs divert pressure from natural reefs while still allowing visitors to enjoy diverse marine life. Because many of these divers, snorkelers and anglers are eco-tourists who utilize local boat charters, hotels, restaurants and other amenities, artificial reefs can have a positive impact on local economies. In such an instance, the artificial reef would be considered a win-win for the economy and the environment.* According to Alan Richardson, Chair of the Organization for Artificial Reefs based in Tallahassee, FL, he estimated that for every dollar spent locally on artificial reefs, $138 comes back into [local] communities**. Please join us as we continue to build artificial reefs to both enhance our environment and honor the memory of Andrew and everything that was important to him.
