144-ft ‘casino boat’ to be sunk as new artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton...
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners has approved a $450,000 contract with Tri-Native Contractors Inc. for acquiring and preparing the 144-foot MV FANTASEA, a retired casino boat, to be sunk as...
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First-ever 3D printed artificial reefs sunk off Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast
The first 3D printed artificial reefs were deployed on Monday off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast, sinking 25 concrete modules to the Gulf floor to establish new marine habitat. The Okaloosa Coastal...
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Okaloosa County eyes ‘Living Shoreline Project’ to combat coastal erosion on...
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to address coastal erosion alongside Highway 98 on Okaloosa Island through a collaborative living shoreline...
View ArticleOkaloosa County approves removal of derelict shrimp boat in Joe’s Bayou in...
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Derelict Vessel Removal Agreement on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, to remove a derelict shrimp boat from...
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Destin-Fort Walton Beach gears up for ‘Earth Day Cleanup’ across Okaloosa...
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism and Saltwater Restaurants are preparing for the annual Earth Day Cleanup on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 8-10 a.m. The event aims to bring the community together to...
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‘Conservation Conversations’: A free event on the latest sea turtle research...
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism and The Island Resort are set to launch a new seminar series called “Conservation Conversations” on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The monthly event will focus on various...
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Kemp’s ridley sea turtle makes rare solo nesting on Destin beach
A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the most endangered species of sea turtle, made her way onto a beach in Destin, Florida, to nest on Sunday morning, April 28, 2024, just days before the official start of...
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Destin-Fort Walton Beach gears up for world’s largest lionfish tournament in...
The Emerald Coast Open (ECO), the world’s largest lionfish tournament, is preparing for its 2024 event in Destin, Florida. Building upon the success of the 2023 tournament, which saw 144 participants...
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89 divers collect 93-pounds of debris at Spring Pier Cleanup on Okaloosa Island
On Sunday, May 5, 2024, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism, the Okaloosa Island Pier, and the Gulfarium hosted the annual Spring Pier Cleanup on Okaloosa Island, resulting in 89 scuba divers removing 93...
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More than 275 artificial reefs recently deployed off of Destin-Fort Walton Beach
In an effort to enhance marine habitats, Okaloosa County’s Tourism Development Department has successfully deployed more than 275 artificial reef structures off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach....
View ArticleAnother rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtle spotted nesting on Destin-Fort Walton...
In a win for local wildlife conservation, a second Kemp’s ridley sea turtle has nested on the beaches of Destin-Fort Walton Beach this season. The rare and endangered species was spotted by beachgoers...
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Record-breaking lionfish caught during Emerald Coast Open despite bad weather...
The Emerald Coast Open (ECO) 2024, the world’s largest lionfish tournament, concluded with impressive numbers and a new record for the largest lionfish caught, despite facing adverse weather...
View ArticleStrong start to sea turtle nesting season in Destin-Fort Walton Beach
Sea turtle nesting season is off to a promising start in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, with four nests and two false crawls reported so far, according to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Turtle Patrol. Of the...
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80ft and 75ft former scuba dive boats to become artificial reefs off...
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a $138,000 contract with Coleen Marine, Inc. on Tuesday for the clean-up, preparation, towing, and deployment of two donated vessels as...
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73 rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the Gulf from...
The first sea turtle nest of the season hatched recently in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, marking a successful start to the nesting season for the area’s endangered marine species. Jessica Valek, Coastal...
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Okaloosa County approves live-stream underwater camera installation at...
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a plan Tuesday morning to install an underwater live-stream camera at the Okaloosa Island Pier, offering the public a unique view of marine life off...
View ArticleOkaloosa seeks state funding for East Pass sediment design and permitting,...
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a request Tuesday to apply for state funding to design and permit an inlet management project aimed at mitigating erosion and reducing dredging costs...
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188-foot dinner cruise ship, 110-foot tugboat to become Okaloosa’s newest...
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a contract on Tuesday for the acquisition, preparation, and deployment of two new vessels as artificial reefs off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton...
View Article137 divers remove 106 pounds of debris during pier cleanup on Okaloosa Island
The Okaloosa Island Pier’s final cleanup dive for 2024 saw a record-breaking turnout, with 137 divers removing 106 pounds of debris from the surrounding waters on Sunday, August 4. Jessica Valek,...
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Air Force sinks 360-foot old cargo ship near Destin-Fort Walton Beach with...
The Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program expanded its underwater attractions last week with the addition of a 360-foot vessel to the Gulf of Mexico, offering new opportunities for fishing and diving...
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