June 4, 2014 — Groups of tires, concrete pipes, boxcars, tugboats and even sunken ships at artificial reef sites transform featureless stretches of sea floor into rich marine ecosystems that support recreationally and commercially significant fish species.
Four artificial reefs off the coast of New Hanover County will undergo enhancement and expansion projects due to a $637,500 North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License grant awarded to the Onslow Bay Artificial Reef Association. A pending source of private funding could also contribute to the project.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Wilmington Regional Office hosted a May 29 public meeting, during which details about the reef additions were discussed.
The Division of Marine Fisheries’ Artificial Reef Program, which oversees 41 ocean reefs and eight estuarine reefs in North Carolina, is working to secure permits for the projects. The process will take between 30-150 days.