Fort Pickens fishing pier closing for annual clean-up

Volunteers with Third Coast Divers will remove trash, debris and fishing line from Fort Pickens’ fishing pier structure and surrounding areas. The closure extends 25 yards in any direction from the pier, including the water. [Pixabay.com]

GULF BREEZE — Fort Pickens' fishing pier will temporarily close from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 22, Gulf Islands National Seashore officials said.  

Volunteers with 3rd Coast Divers will remove trash, debris and fishing line from the pier structure and area around the pier. The closure extends 25 yards in any direction from the pier, including the water. 

“The Fort Pickens fishing pier is very popular,” Superintendent Dan Brown said.  “These cleanups are designed to provide a cleaner and healthier environment for both the public on the pier and the marine life beneath the pier. 

“We regret the inconvenience caused by this temporary closure, but the annual clean-up is necessary to keep the bay clean.”

The pier will reopen at noon April 22. 

Visit https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fishing.htm for more information about fishing at Gulf Islands National Seashore.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Fort Pickens fishing pier closing for annual clean-up