October 6, 2016 — The 13 artificial reefs that sit outside of three miles on the New Jersey coastline could get a Special Management Zone designation.
The designation would allow for restrictive gear rules on the reefs that would limit the taking of fish to hook and line and spear only. It would prohibit commercial fisherman from the use of fixed pots or trap gear.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection petitioned the Mid-Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council to designate the 13 artificial reef sites as Special Management Zones last November.
That, of course, was preceded by a long, turf war between commercial and recreational fishermen on the reefs that culminated with the state’s artificial reef program being shut down in 2011.
A compromise was reached last year on the reefs in state waters where commercial fishermen were given access to portions of two existing reefs and a new square-mile reef was agreed to be constructed in state waters for use by recreational anglers.