Chevron Donates Old Equipment To Be Repurposed Into Artificial Reef For Fish

In a win for marine life and the environment, Chevron has announced it will donating surplus equipment from its Pascagoula Refinery to be repurposed into artificial fishing reefs. 

The bright idea had initially come from an employee, with the company teaming up with Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks (MGFB) to turn it into reality.

Since then, the carbon-steel structures have undergone extensive evaluation, and will be deployed by MGFB once they have been greenlighted by the Department of Marine Resources. 

These artificial reefs give fish “an opportunity to live and grow and sustain,” said Chevron Pascagoula Refinery Operations Manager Christine Haswell to WLOX-TV. 

Interestingly, MGFB President Ralph Humphrey explained that the depths of the waters rarely contain life, and are mostly filled with mud and sand. It’s only because of the artificial reef program that the region is teeming with snapper and other fish. 

In addition to the structures, Chevron donated a US$30,000 check to the organization to be used for the deployment of the reef. 

Fingers crossed the marine population in the area enjoy their newfound home!

[via AP News and WLOX-TV, cover image via Alexey Novikov | Dreamstime.com]