NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife - Two Vessel Deployments Slated for When Conditions Permit


Vessel Deployment Slated for When Conditions Permit One of the four vessels slated for sinking in August on New Jersey's Artificial Reef Network continue to be postponed, and another was withdrawn from the program. The vessels included a 77-foot trawler, two 100-foot deck barges, and a 100-foot surf clam vessel. Only two deployments, of the 77-foot trawler at Townsends Inlet Reef, and the 100-foot surf clam vessel on Cape May Reef, have been completed. The specific dates for sinking the remaining vessels are not set, but will be as soon as conditions permit. Once the vessel is sunk it will soon become homes for 150 species of fish and marine life, fishing grounds for anglers and an underwater attractions for scuba divers. The vessel will continue to provide habitat for marine life and be productive fishing grounds for at least another 50 years. The vessel remaining for deployment is: 100-foot deck barge at Axel Carlson Reef Reef deployments are subject to weather and sea conditions. For further information regarding these deployments contact Hugh Carberry at 609-748-2022. For information on past and planned deployments see the Artificial Reef Deployments page.