Marine Artificial Reef Development Act of 1979

Marine Artificial Reef Development Act of 1979 - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to: (1) develop, maintain, and monitor artificial reefs in waters under United States jurisdiction; (2) develop accessible fishing grounds; (3) provide financial assistance to States for the implementation of this program; (4) use Federal surplus properties as artificial reef materials; and (5) promote cooperative agreements between salvage companies and the Federal Government in transporting materials to reef sites.

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Marine Fisheries Service, to make grants to certain States enumerated in the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to develop, maintain, and monitor marine artificial reefs in the territorial waters of such States and to develop such habitats in the fishery conservation zone off the coasts of such States.

Requires each fishery management council established under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to establish a fishery management plan for each habitat established under this Act in the Councils' region.