In the waters south of Cocodrie at Bodwin Point resides a new artificial reef that stands as a lasting tribute to a young man whose passion for restoration and conservation knew no bounds. CCA Louisiana and its conservation partners deployed Duncan’s Reef in honor of Duncan Prentice, an integral member of the Danos team, who’s promising life and career were cut short in December 2023 in a car accident.

Duncan’s Reef, the largest project to date under CCA’s REEF Louisiana program, consists of 850 Cajun Coral structures. The reef was made possible through a $100,000 community grant from Woodside Energy and in cooperation with Danos, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Natrx, Inc., Delta Coast Consultants, and White Water Contractors.

"At Woodside, we understand there is an important role to play in supporting the communities where we live and work, and we strive to support the opportunities that matter the most to local residents," said Paa-Joe Akoto-Ampaw, Vice President, Woodside. "We are proud to support coastal conservation in Louisiana through Duncan’s Reef, which will help better protect the state's marine environment and enhance its thriving recreational fishing sector."

CCA Louisiana was proud to be able to honor the Duncan family with this project.

“This reef is a living memorial to Duncan’s passion and work,” said Rad Trascher, Executive Vice President of the CCA Louisiana. “Just like all of us at CCA, Duncan had a passion for preserving our Sportsman’s Paradise, and we were fortunate to honor that commitment through the installation of this reef. Every angler and conservationist who visits Duncan’s Reef will be reminded of his dedication to Louisiana’s coastline.”

Prentice, an avid angler and outdoorsman, played a pivotal role in developing and refining the 3D-printed artificial reef modules - Cajun Coral. Designed in collaboration between Danos and Natrx, Cajun Coral provides essential habitat for marine life, restoring biodiversity and strengthening Louisiana’s fishing grounds. As a contributor to this new technology, Prentice took immense pride in finding solutions that aligned with nature, fostering long-term resilience for Louisiana’s delicate coastal environment. Through Duncan’s Reef, his legacy will continue to shape the future of fisheries restoration, ensuring that the waters he loved remain teeming with marine life for generations to come.

“Duncan’s passion, talent, and dedication made a lasting impact on all of us here at Danos,” said Eric Danos, Owner Executive of Danos and CEO of Danos Ventures. “He fell in love with his job and the coastal challenge he was helping to solve. Now, through Duncan’s work and the help of many great partners, we can celebrate his legacy for generations to come.”

In addition to Woodside and Danos, funding for Duncan’s Reef comes from CCA’s REEF Louisiana Program and matching funds provided by LDWF’s Artificial Reef Trust Fund. Officials from LDWF were on hand for the dedication and site visit.

“While every artificial reef is instrumental to the mission of our department, Duncan's Reef certainly has a very special significance,” said LDWF Secretary Madison Sheahan. “We are proud to team up with CCA, Woodside, Danos and our other partners to restore fish habitat and strengthen the future of our fisheries, and we are deeply honored to be a part of this instillation to commemorate the life of a fellow sportsman, Duncan Prentice.”

In-kind labor, materials and donations were provided by Natrx, Inc., Delta Coast Consultants and White Water Contractors. Representatives of each of these partners were on hand for the event.

"Delta Coast was formed because of our passion for protecting and preserving the coast of Louisiana. We are pleased to participate with these partners, enhancing recreational opportunities for anglers and the sustainability of our coastal waters," said Mitch Marmande, owner of Delta Coast Consultants. "Furthermore, it's an honor to name this reef for Duncan Prentice, a remarkable, innovative, hardworking young man taken from us too soon. It warms our hearts to know that this reef will be a tribute to the work he so passionately created."

Duncan’s Reef is the second artificial reef completed this year by CCA’s REEF Louisiana program, with plans for an additional eight reef projects in 2025. Last month, CCA completed the addition to the “Jacob Meek Reef” at South Timbalier 165. CCA’s REEF Louisiana Program is a collaborative effort between private partners, government agencies and non-profit organizations.

Coordinates for the reef will be published on ccalouisiana.com once the construction survey is complete. For more information about this reef or CCA Louisiana’s REEF Louisiana Program, contact Rad Trascher at (225) 952-9200.