Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Louisiana, in partnership with Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, is proud to announce the installation of Eugene Island 74 artificial reef — the second of five reefs made possible through Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves’ landmark $500,000 commitment to the R.E.E.F. Louisiana program. The installation is being carried out roughly 40 miles south of New Iberia/Morgan City, Louisiana, by Danos and DEAN Construction, utilizing NATRX Cajun Coral modules and conducted under permits issued by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).
The Eugene Island 74 artificial reef is constructed using NATRX’s Cajun Coral technology — a nature-based, 3D-printed substrate engineered to mimic the complex structure of natural reef systems. The modules are designed to accelerate colonization by marine organisms and provide sustained habitat for speckled trout, redfish, and a diverse array of offshore species, contributing to the long-term health of Louisiana’s coastal fisheries.
“Todd Graves and Raising Cane’s aren’t just investing in reefs — they’re investing in the future of Louisiana’s coastal ecosystem and the fishing communities that depend on it,” said Rad Trascher, CEO of CCA Louisiana. “The Eugene Island 74 reef carries forward Todd’s commitment to doing more for this state’s waters, and we are honored to work with them on this initiative.”
Graves’ partnership with CCA Louisiana began with the dedication of the Raising Cane’s Hotel Sid reef in August 2024 — a project that restored critical habitat at a site long favored by anglers before the decommissioning of the underlying oil and gas platform. At that dedication, Graves pledged an additional $400,000 to fund four more reefs across the state, bringing his total personal contribution to $500,000. Eugene Island 74 marks the second fulfillment of that promise…