DEP ISSUES NAVIGATIONAL ADVISORY AROUND SHARK
RIVER REEF
(06/51) EDISON -- With construction of an undersea rock
ridge set to begin Sept. 16, Department of Environmental Protection
Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today cautioned boaters, anglers and
divers to navigate with care around the Shark River Reef, located
15.6 miles southeast of Manasquan Inlet, Ocean County.
“Safety on the water should always be on top of everyone’s
mind. But it will be particularly important in this area during
the coming weeks as we work to enhance New Jersey’s marine
environment, our nationally recognized network of artificial reefs
and the recreational opportunities they offer,” Commissioner
Jackson said.
As part of the state’s Artificial Reef Program, administered
by the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, approximately
35,000 cubic yards of dredge rock, obtained from the Port Authority
of New York and New Jersey, will be used to create the undersea
rock ridge.
During construction, tugs continually will be pulling large barges
of shale bedrock dredged from Howland Hook Marine Terminal to the
Shark River Reef site and depositing the rock at a predetermined
location. For safety reasons, boaters must constantly be aware
of the reduced maneuverability of these tugs and allow them the
right of way. All anchored vessels in the line of transit should
immediately retrieve anchor and clear the area. Commercial fishermen
should not set fixed gear, such as lobster or fish pots, on the
reef site during rock deployments because the gear could be damaged.
Adding rock to the ocean floor provides much-needed, hard-structure
habitat for fish, lobster and other marine life. The rocky ridges
will become attachment surfaces for invertebrate marine life, such
as mussels, barnacles, sponges and anemones, and will provide hiding
places for bottom-dwelling species such as sea bass, blackfish,
crab and lobster. The shale rock ridges will create productive
fishing grounds for generations to come.
The project is a partnership between DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife
and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It will continue
through October.
The Differential Global Positioning System coordinates of the
Shark River Reef Site corners are as follows:
|
NE |
40 07.330’ |
73 41.080’ |
|
NW |
40 07.330’ |
73 41.800’ |
|
SE |
39 40.200’ |
73 41.080’ |
|
SW |
40 06.200’ |
73 41.800’ |
Anglers and divers can obtain a chart of the rock deployment area
by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Rock Chart
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
P.O. Box 418
Port Republic, NJ 08241
For more information on New Jersey's artificial reef program, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/artreef.htm.
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