Commercial fishermen off the coast of New Jersey will be able to continue to access portions of two artificial reefs, and a new reef is to be constructed for the exclusive use of recreational fishing, under regulations announced Wednesday by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
New Jersey has a long-established history of using everything from old trains and buses to parts of old amusement piers from the Atlantic City Boardwalk to build reefs to create habitats for marine species off the coast.
The state Division of Fish and Wildlife holds permits for 15 artificial-reef sites - with 13 of them in federal waters and two in state waters. In total, the reefs encompass about 25 square miles of ocean floor. Most are located within 10 miles of the shoreline.
Read the full story at Philly News >>
Read more about New Jersey reefs >>