An exceptional organization with clear goals that undoubtedly has a positive impact on the local environment and economy around Bay County. Their efforts to create reef habitats could easily be the best I've seen in my experience. As part of their surveys I asked them to help collect samples from their reefs and they were extremely helpful and accommodating. I saw first hand how the local population embraced this organization and appreciated its role in the community.
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- EIN 59-3447258
- (850) 899-1728
- PO Box 13006 Mexico Beach FL 32410 USA
- https://www.mbara.org/
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Environment, Water, Water Resources, Wetlands Conservation & Management
Mission: MBARA constructs artificial reef habitat to enhance sustainable fisheries in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. MBARA set a milestone of establishing 1000 patch reefs, or small artificial reef habitats in the waters off Mexico Beach, Florida. To achieve our goal, we work closely with the City of Mexico Beach, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. MBARA has also worked very hard to conduct and promote scientific research and evaluation of reef designs, biomass development, and fish productions. The third function of the MBARA is educating the public about the importance of reef systems to the marine ecosystem, and the impact they have on the coastal communities where they are built.
Results: Since our inception in 1997, MBARA reached a $2-Million milestone in artificial reef building. We have put over 200 patch reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. We also have a Memorial Reef program that provides families a meaningful and ecologically sound way to memorialize and honor their loved ones.
Target demographics: improve our fisheries
Direct beneficiaries per year: built over $180,000 in new reefs.
Geographic areas served: the Gulf of Mexico, near Mexico Beach, Florida, USA
Programs: reef building, education, and scientific research.