Project Summary

During the 1970s, between 1 million and 2 million tires were put in the ocean off Broward County in an effort to create additional fish habitat. Over the years, many of the tires were mobilized by tropical storms and hurricanes, the movement of which caused damage to nearby existing coral reefs. The threat is serious, but the complexity and magnitude of the challenge of removing these tires has prevented any individual government agency from doing so.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program funded a reconnaissance project that was conducted in August 2006. The scope of work for this project included the development of a potential strategy for removing and properly disposing of the tires. It was decided that a pilot program was needed to test diver retrieval productivity, loading and transportation methods, and tire processing and disposal. For more information, please read the full project summary.

Tire removal work is continuing under Agency Contract SW348, which was renewed on February 17, 2023 and expires on February 16, 2028. As of September 9, 2025, the department has an additional Agency Contract SW349 that will provide additional tire removal services. SW349 Agency Contract was executed 09/02/2025 and will expire 09/01/2032. The new contractor is in the process of obtaining local, state, and federal permits to commence work.  https://facts.fldfs.com/Search/ContractDetail.aspx?AgencyId=370000&ContractId=SW349

Click the images below to view the full-sized figures.
Annual Quantity of Tires RemovedAnnual Tire Removal Rates with Future Projections
Annual Quantity of Tires Removed as of Dec. 31, 2025
Annual Tire Removal Rates and Projections as of January 2026

 

 

Project Documents

Progress Reports

Permits

Partner Websites

Background and Reference Documents

For more information, contact Michell Smith at 850-245-8721 or Michell.M.Smith@FloridaDEP.gov.

 

Last Modified: Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 - 02:13pm