Coastal Resources, Fishing

Inaugural Lobster and Lionfish tournament supports artificial reef construction in Destin-Fort Walton Beach

The Emerald Coast Reef Association's inaugural Lobster and Lionfish Tournament attracted over 25 participants, despite high seas, raising awareness about invasive lionfish and promoting marine conservation through community involvement.

Jared Williams

The Emerald Coast Reef Association (ECRA) hosted its first Lobster and Lionfish Tournament last weekend, drawing more than 25 participants to The Deck at Destin Brewery. The event, held Oct. 18-19, raised more than $15,000 for artificial reef construction in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area while promoting marine conservation.

Participants competed in three categories: largest spiny lobsters, slipper lobsters, and lionfish. Despite challenging sea conditions, all categories saw winners.

“Our tournament not only highlights the importance of maintaining healthy marine ecosystems but also brings together our community in a fun and engaging way,” said John Garland, ECRA’s president. “We’re thrilled with the turnout and the positive impact we’re making together. We can’t thank our sponsors enough, we could not have hosted this event without them.”

The Emerald Coast Scuba team dominated the competition, nearly sweeping all categories. Their most impressive catch was a 6.8-pound spiny lobster.

“Our area isn’t known for spiny lobster like other parts of the state. While we don’t have a lot of them, the ones we do have are big,” said Jason Dodd from Team Emerald Coast Scuba. “When I first saw the lobster underwater, I knew we had a winner and it would take teamwork to catch it.”

In the lionfish category, aimed at controlling the invasive species, the largest catch measured 16.14 inches and was also caught by the Emerald Coast Scuba team.

Team Zookeeper, a sponsor of the event, traveled from south Florida to participate in the tournament. While they didn’t bag a winning lobster or lionfish, they managed to bring home dozens of invasive lionfish for dinner!

The Emerald Coast Reef Association is a local non-profit organization focused on marine ecosystem conservation along the Emerald Coast. Through education, community involvement, and sustainable practices, ECRA works to protect and restore ocean health for future generations.

In the past, ECRA has supported artificial reef projects with Destin High School and has worked alongside the Okaloosa Natural Resources Team, which oversees all artificial reef projects in Okaloosa County. Funds raised from the tournament will support the deployment of Prefabricated Modules in the next six months, expected to establish four to five new reef sites.

For full tournament results and membership information including access to a database of private artificial reef numbers, visit www.ecreef.org.

Join the conversation...Cancel reply

Continue reading 👇

Coastal Resources

SS United States artificial reef project remains on track despite temporary delay

Coastal Resources

Departure of SS United States from Philly to Alabama delayed

Coastal Resources

Air Force sinks 360-foot old cargo ship near Destin-Fort Walton Beach with new weapons

Coastal Resources

188-foot dinner cruise ship, 110-foot tugboat to become Okaloosa’s newest artificial reefs

Bill Denis commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding

“Like it or not but Fort Walton Beach is dying, it's becoming just like Navarre but with some big box stores and no growth. All the shopping is in Walton...”

Respond

s commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones

“There's many examples of cities doing this and being later forced to later take them out. Essentially you have a constitutional right to face your accuser. Automated citations mean no...”

Steven Lathi commented on Destin approves $1.2M project to resurface 11 city streets

“Kell- Aire Dr. Could definitely use some new lines on the street. TY”

Walter Swann commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones

“11 mph is 50 percent of the typical school limit of 20 mph. Seems lax with most drivers cruising through school zones at 30 mph.”

C P commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding

“I hope P Johnson gets to visit here so I can tell him to his face to keep his mouth shut about my town”

Clayton Allison commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones

“So an unknown third party, will have access to very clear images of all our kids?”

Dennis Sather commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding

“That's a good solution!”

Stopthepolicebullcrap commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones

“Automated speeding cameras to issue tickets should be illegal. The only people who benefit are the people collecting the money. The citizens of Fort Walton Beach need to vote those...”

HWW commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones

“Traffic enforcement in FWB is nonexistent and needs to become a priority. For example, almost every day I turn off highway 98 into the Veteran’s Park parking lot. My wife...”

Trish C. commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding

“Elevating US98, like they did with US19 (N/S) is a much better idea than DESTROYING our historic downtown.”