State Plans To Construct An Artificial Reef Near Manasquan Inlet Off Point Pleasant Beach

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ - Fishing around the Manasquan Inlet is expected to improved once the state Department of Environmental Protection constructs a new artificial reef in the area, DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said.

The state recently received a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construction the reef, which should take about 10 years to finish.

“We are very excited to move forward with this expansion of the state’s network of artificial reefs, which create important habitat for many types of marine life,” Commissioner Martin said. “By enhancing recreational fishing and diving opportunities, these reefs help boost the state’s tourism economy.

The reef off the Manasquan Inlet is part of a compromise the Christie Administration reached between recreational and commercial fisherman over reef access that has restored federal funding for the program.

A second, previously planned reef to be developed in Delaware Bay will expand fishing opportunities in that region.

Recreational fishing generates $1.5 billion in economic benefits in New Jersey each year, and directly employs some 20,000 people.

Artificial reefs are constructed from a variety of materials, such as rocks, concrete, steel, old ships and barges. These materials provide surfaces for a wide diversity of marine organisms to grow, ultimately providing food and habitat for many species of fish and shellfish.

The Manasquan Inlet Reef site is located 1.7 nautical miles southeast of the inlet, which is just north of Ocean County’s Point Pleasant Beach. When fully developed, it will occupy nearly one square mile of sea floor in water from 67 feet to 74 feet deep.

The DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife resumed deployments of old vessels and other materials last year following a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore funding for the program. This decision was the result of a compromise the DEP reached that allows commercial interests to have continued access to portions of two reefs in state waters and calls for the construction of a new reef for recreational fishing in state waters. State waters extend three miles from the shoreline.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had suspended the funding due to concerns that commercial fishing was hampering recreational fishing on artificial reefs, which are funded by excise taxes on recreational fishing gear and boat fuel.

The Army Corps permit allows the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife to develop the two new reefs over the next 10 years as materials suitable for deployment become available.

For more information on New Jersey's Artificial Reef Program, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/artreef.htm

Image: New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection