MBARA Now on Facebook
Go to Facebook and see what we are doing.  Go to MBARA home page at www.mbara.org and click on Facebook link.  Hundreds of new pictures of undewater reefs and growth on them.  Check out videos also.  More to come.  The pictures are amazing.  See what grows on reefs.

MBARA Passes $One Million Mark
Since l997, the MBARA has now spent over $1,17l,000 on artificial reef deployments and fisheries habitat improvement.  Money from grants, donations, the Kingfish Tournament, memorial reefs, and sales of cookbooks and t-shirts all helped out.

This includes  708 Reef Balls, 355 Pyramid/Florida Reefmaker modules, 40 grouper reefs, a shrimp boat, 3 barges, a dredge, stainless steel digesters/cylinders,  and 1,168 tons of donated concrete/rubble.

We have 5 new permitted sites, one renewal of Car Bodies Permit area, and 125 new designated reef sites. 

Tournament Video Out Now
Our new video from the 2009 MBARA Kingfish Tournament is out on Channel 4 in Mexico Beach and can be seen on our website.  Click on home page and scroll down to video.  You may be in it.  Lots of fishing action and lots of people.

Gumbo Festival-February 13, 2010
Come on down to the Gumbo Festival in Mexico Beach on Saturday.  Eat some gumbo, drink some brew, dance,  visit with friends.  Starts at l0:00 am in the park by the El Governor Motel.   A new Brunswick stew division adds another food to eat.  Mardi Gras will be the theme.

MBARA Elects New President
The Board of Directors recently elected Bob Cox as the new president of the MBARA.  He is a retired USAF Staff Sergeant, a diver, a fisherman, a licensed Coast Guard captain, a PADI Scuba instructor, and a dedicated worker for the MBARA. He is married to Carol and they have grown children. Carol is now serving as the new Treasurer of the MBARA.  Bob is a computer whiz, a photographer, and has lots of new ideas for growth and development.  Go see his underwater pictures on Face Book.

August 28, 2010-Mark Your Calendar
Changes are coming for the tournament. 

We are planning to bring back a fish fry on Saturday night with a live band, a new t-shirt, and a new Miss Kingfish.   The fish fry will be in Beacon Hill Park and be put on by the Mexico Beach Volunteer Fire Department from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.    Plates will be only $3.00 and all proceeds go to the fire department.  A dance will follow with a live band from 8:00 - 12:00 pm.   Bigger and better than ever.  El Governor special rate of 75 dollars a night for tournament.  Usually 139.

Website Getting Update
We have updated our website, and we are changing more daily to make it even better and give you more information on our reefs.

Fish the Panhandle Slam Next Year
June 5         Blue Water Outrigger Charity Classic
July  30, 31  Marquardt's Marina Offshore Classic
August 28   MBARA 14th Annual Kingfish Tournament

NEW Prize Money

----Extra prize of $5,000 for the boat with most kingfish weight from all three tournaments combined. 

Memorial Reefs Available for Purchase
Many people are now purchasing a memorial reef to honor a loved one.  Contact Brian Higdon for detailed information on exactly how this can be done at bhigdon@comcast.net for answers to your questions.

Need Sponsors for Kingfish Tourney

If you want to be a sponsor for the l4th Annual Kingfish Tournament contact Bob Cox, President of the MBARA to find out details.  Get your company in the book and get your name on the t-shirts.

MBARA Meets Monthly
The MBARA is now holding monthly meetings on the first Thursday of each month at the Civic Center.  All people are welcome to attend.  Contact Bob Cox for details on meetings.