Our Story
The Bay County Artificial Reef Association (BCARA) was established in 2013 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. With a 13-member board and seed funding from Bay County, BCARA successfully sank the Glenn and Bubba Cooper Memorial Reef with the help of Eastern Shipbuilding Company. BCARA and Eastern partnered again in 2023 and 2025 to deploy student-built artificial reefs—an effort that paved the way for the Artificial Reef Competition we see today.
In May 2025, BCARA decided it was time to start making waves in the artificial reef world. We restructured our board, launched our social media presence, and used the 2025 Eastern reef deployments as a springboard for growth. Since then, we’ve continued to expand our reach, using high-priority raffle items as grassroots fundraising tools to both promote future deployments and secure funding to make them happen.
Fishing and diving are cornerstones of the Panama City Beach community, attracting thousands of visitors each year and placing increasing pressure on our valuable marine resources. BCARA is committed to putting reefs in the water to help sustain these resources—reducing fishing pressure, growing fish populations, and creating memorable experiences that keep outdoor enthusiasts coming back year after year.
Our Mission
The Bay County Artificial Reef Association (BCARA) is dedicated to deploying artificial reefs in state and federal waters to enrich our fisheries marine habitat. Our work supports recreational and commercial fishing, diving, and the businesses that depend on a healthy marine environment here in Bay County, FL.
Our Goal
At BCARA, our mission is simple: put more reefs on the Gulf floor. More reefs mean more fish, a stronger fishing and diving industry, and more opportunities to share our love of the outdoors with every visitor who comes to enjoy our waters.
We envision a Panama City Beach where:
- Divers return year after year to explore a variety of wrecks and reef sites.
- Anglers can fish without overcrowded spots.
- The local economy thrives because we’ve protected and enhanced our most valuable natural resource.
We are committed to being stewards of the Gulf, working tirelessly to restore and grow this incredible fishery for generations to come.
