In 1994, the U.S. submerged 100 M60 tanks in the Gulf of Mexico to build underwater habitats. Three decades later, these retired military vehicles host active aquatic ecosystems.
Conservation workers released Kemp's ridley turtles from Gulf State Park with satellite tags to study their movement patterns. In a separate effort, another reef was placed to honor Charlie Kirk.
In political news, Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville proposed naming the Mobile bridge after Jimmy Buffett, highlighting the singer's Gulf ties. To expand shipping capacity, Louisiana opened a new port to reshape Gulf Coast trade. The facility began operations earlier this year to handle freight traffic.
Artificial reefs are steadily expanding from old tanks and new structures. Local officials have taken notice of these underwater and coastal changes.