As promised by DEP Commissioner Bob Martin back in March of 2013, a new reef site is now under construction just two miles due east of Manasquan Inlet. This site is part of a negotiated compromise agreement between the DEP, the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance and commercial fishing industry.
After ten years of continuous pressure by recreation fishermen, under the leadership of the Reef Rescue group along with the political clout of the NJOA, a one square mile area of ocean floor has been approved as New Jersey’s sixteenth artificial reef site by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Following a meticulous side-scan sonar search of the proposed area, a permit application was filed by the DEP in August 2016 and granted by ACOE in March 2017. The permitting process is lengthy and extensive to assure a planned site doesn’t conflict with existing uses such as navigation lanes, overseas communication cables and commercial fishing grounds.
The project, which could take decades to complete, will transform over 640 acres of barren ocean bottom into a haven for marine life. Like an oasis in a sand desert, the newest addition to New Jersey’s reef system will provide habitat for foraging, nursery areas, refuge from predators and will undoubtedly become a key destination for recreational anglers and scuba divers.
In June 2017, the first ‘ribbon cutting’ structure deployed on the new Manasquan Reef was an 85-foot fishing vessel named the Mt Sinai. After over forty years of commercial trawling off our coast, Mt. Sinai’s deteriorating hull was pulled from service and donated by owner/Captain Roy Diehl to New Jersey’s artificial reef program. The cost to pull the engines, remove hold insulation, dismantle the superstructure rigging, clean thoroughly, plus towing to the site and scuttling the vessel was funded by the Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association, a NJOA Conservation Foundation member. The capital was raised through profits derived from the GPPCBA’s annual Mako Mania Shark Tournament. Collaborative efforts between the State, Captain Diehl and the ‘not for profit’ donor (GPPCBA) were orchestrated by the Ocean Reef Foundation of New Jersey. The Foundation acts as a depository to collect and release funding for reef building when certain thresholds are achieved. ORFNJ also limits liabilities, like a firewall, to all concerned parties during the project through legal contracts and insurance prerequisites with the reef material provider and/or material preparation contractor.
The second deployment of structure on the Manasquan Reef, which is also scheduled for June 2017, is 1,500 tons of faulty precast concrete underground infrastructure materials. New Jersey’s precast industries end up with thousands of rejected culverts, pipes, junction boxes, drywells, and basins. Each configuration may contain minor cracks, inclusions, deformities, or may not be cast to dimensional requirements. Precast facilities can quickly become clogged with this unfortunate bi-product. However, per an old adage, “one man’s trash becomes another man’s treasure.” This becomes quite evident when scrap concrete rejects are collected and deployed as reef structure. The nooks and crannies produced by piles of precast parts create under water habitat for marine life second to none.
Again, as a joint effort, Garden State Precast Corporation donated the concrete components plus the seventy trucks to transport their scrap bi-product to the barge loading yard. Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association was the primary financial contributor along the welcomed and necessary support from the Ann E. Clark Foundation to facilitate staging, loading the material on barges, tugboat tow to the site and deploying the materials on Manasquan Reef. A yard crane on shore and monster front end loaders on the barges were essential to load and sink a new habitat.
Another potential project slated for our new reef is a 75-foot firefighting vessel from Virginia. This endeavor is being negotiated between Manasquan River Marlin and Tuna Club, the Ann E. Clark Foundation and Tim Mullane, a salvage company out of Norfolk, Virginia. Negotiations are underway so a date and cost for deployment are yet to be determined.
After a very long and sometimes hostile dispute concerning acceptable gear types on artificial reefs, these are exciting and fulfilling times for recreational reef fishermen and scuba divers. Once National Marine Fishery Service approves New Jersey’s request for special management zone (SMZ) status on their 13 offshore reefs, 96% of our State’s reef sites will be trap free. Considering 20% of New Jersey’s recreational catch came from artificial reefs while trap fishing was allowed, hook, line and spear fishing on reefs can only get much better. The once dormant reef program has been rejuvenated and is now in full swing.
Presently there seems to be a lot of great structure available to populate Manasquan Reef. Several contractors have offered concrete debris from demolition projects plus we just heard of two derelict barges that may become available shortly.
Reef construction is a very costly endeavor. In most cases it’s not the structure that carries a hefty price tag but rather the clean-up, tow and deployment that is so expensive. Reef building monies are accumulated from various fundraising events like the Mako Mania Shark Tournament but many donations come as private financial gifts. Frequently contributions are made in memory of a passed family member, friend or fisherman. When deemed appropriate, Ocean Reef Foundation of New Jersey offers stainless steel ‘in-memory signage’ that can be fastened to the vessel to recognize the departed. The commemoration is an awesome remembrance of persons that truly had a passion for their fishing or diving pastime.
The Ocean Reef Foundation’s primary goal is to help the State build reefs. We want to see our reefs protected, grow and teem with fish. But to do so, we need your help. If you or the organization you belong to are interested in becoming a vital part of the reef building process, please contact the Ocean Reef Foundation of New Jersey to make a donation. Every dollar helps. Remember, more reef habitat equates to better recreational fishing and diving opportunities. To learn more, go to www.orfnj.com
Above all, it is fitting to thank Governor Christie for fulfilling his promise to NJOA by resolving the fixed gear on reefs issue.