DEC Announces New Materials Deployed to Enhance Artificial Reefs on Fire Island, Moriches and Hempstead as Part of Largest Artificial Reef Expansion in New York State History

DEC Delivers press release
DEC Delivers Press Release - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Share or view as a web page || Update preferences or unsubscribe

DEC Announces New Materials Deployed to Enhance Artificial Reefs on Fire Island, Moriches and Hempstead as Part of Largest Artificial Reef Expansion in New York State History

Ongoing Reef Expansion Efforts Will Bolster Long Island's Economy through Increased Opportunities for Tourism and Recreation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the deployment of new materials to enhance marine habitat at the Fire Island Reef, Moriches Reef, and Hempstead Reef as part of the State's ongoing efforts to develop a stronger, more diverse marine ecosystem and provide shelter for fish and other marine life off New York's shores.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "Governor Cuomo recognizes that expanding Long Island's artificial reefs is an innovative way to reuse materials from state infrastructure projects, creating new marine habitats and restoring fishery resources. New York's ongoing expansion efforts in the Artificial Reef Program continues to support our coastal communities and economy, while providing benefit to our anglers, divers and the environment."

As directed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in April, and with unprecedented, multi-agency coordination, recycled materials from the State Department of Transportation, Canal Corporation, and the Thruway Authority are being put to new use and helping to develop New York's artificial reef sites, including:

Fire Island Reef
The 744-acre reef is located 2 nautical miles from shore with a depth of 62-73 feet. Between August 30 - September 4, 4,700 tons of jetty stone were deployed at the Fire Island Reef. On September 23, 1,260 cubic yards of Tappan Zee Bridge concrete road decking, pipe piles and substructure pieces were deployed. New materials deployed today include a 110'x29' steel "air force flat scow," a 30'x15' steel "piano flat scow" and a 100'x29' steel "dump scow #20."

Moriches Reef
The 14-acre reef is located 2.4 nautical miles from shore with a depth of 70-75 feet. New materials deployed today include 25'x20' steel "pump boat," a 50'x20' steel "self-propelled scow #56," and 12 steel bridge I-beams.

Hempstead Reef
The 744-acre reef is located 3.3 nautical miles from shore with a depth of 50-72 feet. New Tappan Zee Bridge materials deployed today include concrete road deck panels, concrete substructure (columns and caps) and concrete pipe piles.

Construction of New York's first artificial reef dates back to 1949, and the Governor's expansion initiative is the state's first coordinated effort to stimulate the full environmental and economic benefits of artificial reefs. The artificial reef expansion will increase the variety of reef habitat on these sites, expand the biodiversity of fish and crustacea, promote environmental sustainability, and boost Long Island's recreational fishing, sport fishing, and diving industries.

DEC manages the state's 12 artificial reefs, which include two reefs in Long Island Sound, two in the Great South Bay, and eight in the Atlantic Ocean.

In May, the Governor announced the inaugural deployment at Shinnecock Reef, which included recycled materials from the Tappan Zee Bridge project, DOT, and Canal Corporation. State agencies began deploying barges of Tappan Zee Bridge recycled materials and decommissioned vessels that have been cleaned of contaminants. Earlier in July, deployments were made at Smithtown and Rockaway reefs and deployments were made on Hempstead Reef and Moriches Reef in August.

The deployment of materials at Fire Island Reef will enhance the aquatic ecosystem along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, provide new habitats for marine life, and expand recreational fishing and diving opportunities for generations of New Yorkers.

Materials used for the reef expansion are being strategically placed and are built out of hard, durable material (structures) such as rock, concrete, and steel, and usually in the form of surplus or scrap materials that are cleaned of contaminants before being recycled on the reef sites. Once materials settle to the sea floor, larger fish like blackfish, black seabass, cod, and summer flounder, move in to utilize the habitat, and encrusting organisms such as barnacles, sponges, anemones, corals, and mussels cling to and cover the material. Over time, these recycled structures will become habitat similar to a natural reef.

New York's marine resources are critical to the state's economy, supporting nearly 350,000 jobs and generating billions of dollars through tourism, fishing and other industries. More than 500,000 anglers in the region will reap the benefits of the Governor's initiative, supporting the region's growing marine economy which accounts for approximately 9.7 percent of Long Island's total GDP.

Artificial reef construction is part of Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative, an effort to improve recreational activities for in-state and out-of-state sportsmen and sportswomen and to boost tourism opportunities throughout the state. Visit DEC's website for more information about the Artificial Reef Program.

The Governor's Artificial Reef initiative builds on the state's record $300 million Environmental Protection Fund investment, $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act, more than $2 million to NY Sea Grant to support the Ocean Action Plan Research Fund, and actions to ban offshore drilling along New York's coastline.

A map, site coordinates and additional information on New York State's Artificial Reefs (PDF, 915 KB) are available to plan trips to a New York State reef site.

Before visiting one of New York's artificial reefs, please be familiar with the current NYS Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations. View DEC's artificial reef building video (link leaves DEC's website) on YouTube and learn more about our volunteer observation program.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/press.html