New Memorial and Named Reefs in the Gulf of Mexico

The Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association (MBARA) can now add two more reefs to its roster.

One reef memorializes a man's life and love of fishing, and another shares a resident's appreciation for the "paradise on earth" he finds in Mexico Beach.

The MBARA recently established a new memorial reef in memory of the late Pat Mulligan and a named reef in honor of Tennessee Chuck McKibbon in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bob Cox, President of the MBARA, said the owners of the Mexico Beach Marina commissioned the memorial reef in honor of Bill Mulligan’s father, Pat Mulligan as a tribute to his avid enjoyment of fishing.

Cox said the owners of the Mexico Beach Marina are thankful for the members of the MBARA and all the work they do to increase marine life in the local area.

A second reef was named after Tennessee Chuck McKibbon.

Ron Childs, MBARA Director of Education, said McKibbon commissioned the reef to share his love for fishing and enjoyment of everyday life. He retired from the Tennessee Department of Conservation in 1999 and moved to Mexico Beach. McKibbon considers Mexico Beach paradise on Earth.

The MBARA expresses its sincere appreciation to the Mexico Beach Marina and Tennessee Chuck McKibbon for their support of its artificial program over the years. The contributions are a huge part of the MBARA's success in building artificial reefs and rebuilding our fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Since it's incorporation in 1997, the MBARA has set a milestone of establishing 1000 patch reefs, or small artificial reef habitats in the waters off Mexico Beach.

For more information on these memorial reefs and the memorial reef program, please visit MBARA’s website at www.mbara.org.