The planned deployment of 6000 cubic yards of demolition concrete on the Great Egg Reef, located 8.0 nautical miles southeast of Absecon Inlet, Atlantic County, has been rescheduled for May 27, 2011. Bad weather forced the postponement from the original date of April 22.

The Great Egg Reef is part of the Division's Artificial Reef Program. The concrete is being obtained from the demolition of Garden Pier near Absecon Inlet in Atlantic City. The intent of deploying the concrete is to enhance the drift fishing area within the reef site.

The concrete pedestals and pilings from the demolition, amounting to 6000 cubic yards, will soon provide an attachment surface for mussels, barnacles, hydroids, anemones, stony coral and other invertebrates, which will quickly cover the structure with a living carpet, providing the base of a productive marine food chain (picture below). By summer, sea bass, tautog, scup, triggerfish and summer flounder will colonize the new reef. It will then become a favorite target of anglers coming out of Absecon and Great Egg Inlets.

Fully Colonized Concrete (photo courtesy Herb Segars) Click to enlarge

The demolition concrete will be deployed at the following three locations:

1) 39 14.500'    74 21.600'
2) 39 14.300'    74 21.600'
3) 39 14.300'    74 21.400'

Commercial fishers who have gear in this area must move it or risk having it destroyed.

The deployment is subject to weather and sea conditions. For further information on this deployment contact Hugh Carberry at 609-748-2022.