Fishermen in New Orleans, Louisiana are rejoicing over the next step in the revitalization of the West End fishing pier.
On May 31, 2016, crews began construction on an artificial reef in Lake Pontchartrain. Workers dropped 2200 tons of limestone and crushed concrete in the area to make of the structure.
Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana, Wildlife and Fisheries, Pontchartrain Material, and Chevron are responsible for the new reef, which will create a new fish habitat and giving anglers a good spot to catch speckled trout, red and black drum, among other fish.
The second reef will be built after the new fishing pier is complete. The project is part of an overall plan by Orleans Parish to revitalize West End by rebuilding the fishing pier and refurbishing the public boat launch, which Hurricane Katrina destroyed over a decade ago.
Leaders hope that the reef and the pier will be the first step toward attracting businesses to the West End.