By Dave Migdal.
At first glance, the coast of New Jersey looks like every other on the Eastern Seaboard, give or take some sand dunes, cliffs and lighthouses. But just off the coast and below the ocean’s surface, it’s a different story. From Sandy Hook to Cape May, there are thousands of military vehicles, subway cars, shipwrecks, huge concrete rubble piles and other items strewn on the sea floor. They are all part of New Jersey’s Artificial Reef program, which began in 1984 and is widely considered a success by all involved.
Think about it: The state wins by creating habitats for fish, crustaceans and invertebrates while reducing the impact the items used for reef construction have on the environment. Charter captains and others in the fishing industry benefit with plenty of fishy structure nearby where they know fish congregate most months. And perhaps the biggest winners are anglers, who have 17 artificial reefs—ranging in size from 1 to 3 square miles — without having to travel for hours into the Atlantic to hook up.
But wait, there’s more: According to several charter captains and guides, the reefs are now attracting some exotic fish species seldom found in New Jersey waters, making them even more attractive to anglers.
Artificial Reefs Are Great Fish Attractors
“All of our artificial reefs are near inlets, providing easy access to areas where anglers know fish will be,” said Peter Clarke, the head of New Jersey’s Artificial Reef Program and a fisheries biologist. “Ask any captain and they’ll tell you how important the state’s artificial reefs are to what they do.”
Read more at sportfishingmag.com.
