In July of 1996 Project 98 was born and fund
raising began to deploy 400 "Reef
Balls" throughout four of
the existing reef sites to enhance the habitat. This project
was completed on time and within budget in April of 1998.
The use of "Reef Balls" was the first in the state of
North Carolina and have proven to be true "Fish Motels".
Recent surveying with the Aqua-Vu Underwater Viewing system
show large amounts of growth and marine life.
In July
of 1998, the Long Bay Artificial Reef Association Club
Challenge was born. Held annually in July this King Mackerel
and Flounder Tournament pits fishing club against fishing club
for braggin rights while still recognizing individual
achievements. All proceeds go to the Artificial Reef
Association.
For the record, N.C. Products
of Raleigh donated the concrete pipe. The Stevedoring
Companies (SSA, Cooper T. Smith and South East Crescent) have
donated the use of their equipment to move the material. In
addition, the Brunswick County Commissioners gave a generous
donation to help in the cost of transporting the
pipe.
Thanks to the help of many
friends, Project 2000 grew to include 600 "Reef Balls" and a
100' barge. The barge was sunk in March, 2000 on AR 420. The
barge project was a joint effort between U.S. Army Corp of
Engineers, U.S. Army, Sunny Point, U.S. Coast Guard Marine
Safety Office, U.S. Coast Guard, Station Oak Island, U.S.
Marine Corp, Cherry Point and the NCDMF Artificial Reef
Division. The 600 "Reef Balls" were also deployed during the
spring of 2000 with 100 being deployed to all sites except AR
465. President Dale McDowell added, "As long as the funds are
there we are willing to handle the logistics of the
project."
Sounds like a
challenge to
me!
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Long Bay Artificial Reef Sites
AR 420, 3.0 nm from Cape
Fear Sea Buoy AR 425, 4.4 nm from Cape Fear Sea Buoy AR 440,
4.5 nm from Lockwood Folly Inlet AR 445, 9.3 nm from Lockwood
Folly Inlet AR 455, 7.0 nm from Shallotte Inlet
AR 460, 3.0
nm from Shallotte Inlet
AR 465, 30 nm from Lockwood Folly
Inlet
For additional information regarding the LBARA
program, contact Jim Knight at 910-457-6323. For information
regarding the reef project in NC, contact Mr. Jim Francescoin,
Marine Fisheries, at
1-800-682-2632.
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