3 minute read
Artificial Reefs Enhanced
The GADNR Coastal Resources Division (CRD) undertook two artificial reef enhancement projects off the Georgia coast in December. Materials were deployed at BSF reef, about four nautical miles southeast of Little Tybee Island, and KC reef, about nine nautical miles east of Wassaw Island.
BSF reef, created in 2017, is in 29 feet of water and provides a stable environment for marine life, including gamefish like sheepshead, black sea bass and king mackerel. 22,000 cubic feet of concrete materials were added to the reef, to include culvert and boxes donated by the city of Statesboro Public Works, and the Consolidated Pipe and Supply Company in Columbus, Ga.
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The Savannah Sport Fishing Club, which was involved in the reef’s creation, provided partial funding for the reef addition. Purchases of Georgia fishing licenses also contributed to the project. CRD contracted the Savannah-based firm Industrial Marine Services to place the materials in the southwest quadrant of BSF reef.
Cameron Brinton, a marine biologist with CRD’s Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Unit, said the reef’s location makes it an ideal feature for anglers to enjoy Georgia’s coast.
“To me, one of the best parts about this artificial reef is the accessibility of the site,” Brinton said. “It’s easy to get to, and it’s a great spot for people to do some reef fishing a little closer to home.”
At KC reef (in 45 feet of water), DNR staff coordinated the sinking of a 120-foot flat deck barge loaded with 43 tons of trusses and other post-industrial metal structures. The barge and metal structures were donated by Central Equipment Company of Savannah and by Savannah Bulk Terminal. Staging for the materials and heavy equipment and crane work was provided by the East Coast Terminal Company.
These materials will soon be colonized by barnacles, soft corals and sponges providing the basis of a food web that will support larger saltwater gamefish such as grouper, flounder, Black Sea Bass and King Mackerel.
“This new barge and the other vessels at KC create eddies in the water that small fish school in and attract large predators like Great Barracuda,” Brinton said. “The lower profile materials have lots of crevasses that are great for juvenile and small reef fishes.”
DNR staff will monitor these sites using side-scan sonar and diver surveys to document the structural integrity of the materials, as well as the fish and invertebrate abundance and diversity.
Georgia’s artificial reef project is made possible by Georgia fishing license funds, Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration, grants from organizations such as the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation, private donations, and partnerships with local organizations that are interested in enhancing offshore fishing and diving opportunities. Currently, there are 31 sites in the Atlantic Ocean off Georgia designated for deployment of reef materials.
To learn about all of Georgia’s offshore artificial reefs, visit: coastalgadnr.org/HERU/offshore
BSF Reef: 31°54.109’N / 80°50.030’W KC Reef: 31°49.522’N / 80°47.015’W
A barge filled with steel trusses and other post-industrial materials sinking over KC reef. Photo provided by GADNR CRD
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