The project, managed by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, began deploying 1,500 tons of heavy concrete pipes off East Pass, four to eight nautical miles from the coast.
Each of the three reef sites, located at depths between 68 and 74 feet, will receive roughly 500 tons of material, arranged in clusters to create shelter for fish, barnacles and soft corals.
The initiative is part of Florida's Coastal Corridor program, which aims to link marine habitats across the Gulf and Atlantic coasts; the first reef off Naples was installed on 2 September 2026.
Local board chairman Trey Goodwin praised the collaboration, noting that Okaloosa County already hosts several artificial reefs and will benefit from expanded habitat for both commercial and recreational fishing.
The FWC will monitor the reefs from November onward, studying fish settlement and growth rates to assess long‑term ecological impact.