The July OWL meeting featured a presentation about New Jersey’s Artificial Reef Program with New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Principal Fisheries Biologist Bill Figley. The slide presentation was filled with stories that painted a fascinating picture of the program that constructs artificial hard-substrate “reef” habitat off the Jersey coast.

"Imagine you’re on a boat out in the ocean, pick any spot at random, put on your scuba gear and dive down to the bottom,” said Bill. “What do you see?" Endless stretches of sand—just like the beach, but sand that is constantly moving.” He explained how the constant movement makes it tough for marine life to flourish. Without obstacles such as jetties and reefs to create habitat for marine life, the fishing is not as good, and no point in diving because there is little to see!

Bill said there are about 3,000 shipwrecks along the Jersey coast that provide habitat for marine life. But since unintentional shipwrecks rarely occur today, the Division turned to creating artificial reefs. These reefs attract 200 species of fish and shellfish, and create new fishing grounds for anglers and underwater structures for scuba divers. Everything from M1 Army Tanks, to parts of bridges, to piers and barges are used to make artificial reefs.

Before they are sunk, all floatable debris is removed and the entire structure is pressure washed. After the US Coast Guard Inspection Team verifies that no undesirable material (oil, etc.) is still present, it’s ready to become part of a reef. It’s brought to the site either on barges or by tugboat. Vessels are often sunk using explosives to blast holes to let in water. Over time, a variety of marine life takes up residence on the structures and eventually, the entire structure is covered by a living carpet. Bill also showed us “reef balls,” dome-shaped structures about 3’ high and 4’ wide with holes that, when dropped ten at a spot, create habitat for hundreds to thousands of fish.

The program also includes an “Adopt-A-Reef Habitat” campaign—“A great gift or memoriam for an angler or diver” to “create an undersea condo for New Jersey marine life.”

Bill loves New Jersey’s marine environment and NJ OWL is thankful that he took the time to teach us how artificial reefs benefit both marine life, and recreational opportunities for saltwater anglers and divers.

submitted by Colleen North