November 20, 2015
With the recent adoption of rules implementing a compromise between recreational and commercial fishing interests over access to New Jersey's artificial reefs, the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife's Artificial Reef Program is preparing for a robust resumption of the program.
In anticipation of an active program, biologists recently agreed to accept more than 300 tons concrete castings from Garden State Precast. Concrete castings are very effective reef material due to their hollow cavities and high surface area. (Also in anticipation of the program activity, a new employee is being recruited.)
The company offered to donate, deliver and offload these structures free of any cost to a staging area of our choosing. Working Bureau of Land Management staff, a staging area was set up at the Winslow Wildlife Management Area. The castings will be stored there and ultimately be deployed with reef balls in the near future.
Once these castings are deployed, encrusting organisms such as blue mussels, barnacles and hydroids will readily attach to the surface and transform them into a complex reef matrix for more than 150 species of marine life. These micro-environments will ultimately provide excellent fishing and diving opportunities for the public.
For information on the planned use of the castings contact Reef Program Coordinator Hugh Carberry at 609-748-2022 or
Reef Program
NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife
P.O. Box 418
Port Republic, NJ 08241
For information on past and planned deployments see the Artificial Reef Deployments page.