October 18th, 2016 — New Jersey continues to sink large vessels at recreational fishing reef miles off the coast.
According to a release from the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, crews deployed the Austin, a 68-foot former trawler, at the Axel Carlson Reef, located about 4.4 nautical miles southeast of the Manasquan Inlet last month.
Crews also sank Lisa Kim, a 115-foot surf clam vessel, Lisa Kim at Wildwood Reef, situated 8.3 miles northeast of Cape May Inlet.
The sinking is part of the state’s offshore artificial reef deployment program that resumed this summer after the restoration of federal funding.
According to a release from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the state expects to sink up to 10 vessels throughout its artificial reef network following a compromise between the Christie administration and recreational and commercial anglers after a dispute over access to popular reefs.
“Artificial reefs create important habitat for many types of marine life, and attract fish that are popular with recreational anglers,” said Commissioner Bob Martin. “Our artificial reefs are an important part of the economy of the Jersey Shore because they are so popular with anglers as well as sport divers. We are grateful to all our partners in the recreational and commercial fishing industries for working with us to get this program back on track.”