Photo: Black Sea Bass found on the artificial reef off Newport, Rhode Island
I like the idea of artificial reefs. Items placed under the water that are there because man put them there to attract fish. Studies show that one square yard of reef can hold 3,500 juvenile crabs and up to 135 immature fish. One square foot of structure just three to four feet high can support up to 100,000 tiny creatures like mussels, clams, crabs, worms and shrimp. Artificial reefs attract bottom fish such as cod, fluke and black sea bass. They also host non-bottom dwellers in areas above the reefs.
An article titled “Reef Madness” by Gary Caputi (January 2010 issue of Saltwater Sportsman magazine) relates that the state of New Jersey is the poster child for artificial reef construction. New Jersey boasts 15 manmade reefs that have been constructed over the past 25 years. The list of items and material that dress the reefs is impressive and includes 7.5 million cubic yard of dredge rubble and demolition concrete, 158 sunken vessels, 397 tanks and armored personnel carriers, 269 subway cars, 31 railroad flatcars, 5,500 concrete reef balls and 16,500 other concrete castings.
Caputi relates that although reefs only cover one percent of the fishable area off the New Jersey coast, reefs account for approximately one of every four fish caught by anglers. Studies in New Jersey show reefs not only concentrate fish, but they help expand stocks. There is eight to ten times more marine life on reefs than on open bottom.
This article on reefs peaked my curiosity. Where are the artificial reefs in Rhode Island? A state roughly 37 miles wide and 48 miles long with over 400 miles of coastline has to have some artificial reefs.
We do have artificial reefs in Rhode Island, however, the program is just three years old. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) began construction of two inshore reef sites in March of 2006 and concluded work in August, 2007. The sites are off Newport to the south and both were built with debris from the old Jamestown Bridge. In 2007 one of the reefs was created off Sheep’s Point. The second reef site is located off Gooseberry. Coordinates of both sites can be found on page 13 of DEM’s 2009 Abstract of Marine Fisheries Rules and Regulations. The publication can also be found on DEM’s website at http://www.dem.ri.gov/.
I asked Nicole Lengyel, the DEM marine biologist responsible for DEM’s reef project, if anglers are fishing the artificial reefs. I asked if there is sea life and fish on the reefs. Lengyel said, “Few fisherman are aware of the reefs and few are fishing them”. She said that this year DEM hopes to post a form on their website so anglers can report fish that are caught on the reefs.
Richard Hittinger, chairman of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association reef committee and a member of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council, was and has been instrumental in the artificial reef movement in Rhode Island. Hittinger states that last year he brought a diver out to dive on the reefs to check out the sea life. The diver found fish, documenting his findings with photos of fluke, scup and sea bass on and around the reefs. Hittinger said, “Fish are on the reef but divers and anglers must be aware of the dangerous rebar protruding four and five feet from chucks of concrete on the bottom”.
Hittinger finds it disappointing that the State of Rhode Island still has no artificial reef plan in place. On a couple of occasions the RISAA reef committee wanted to continue to dress the reefs by sinking donated vessels on reef sites to add structure, but with no plan in place DEM was unable to grant them permission to sink vessels.
So, yes Rhode Island has artificial reefs, but is lacking the resources to conduct appropriate tests to measure their success and lacks an overall artificial reef plan to facilitate the dressing of already approved reef sites. Reefs are good for recreational fisherman. They attract fish, not only do they congregate fish, but they actually expand fish stocks. Looking at the lengthy list and volume of items used to dress reef sites in New Jersey, compared to the effort in Rhode Island is disappointing. Rhode Island needs an artificial reef plan from DEM so we can start to enhance our approved reef sites. Artificial reefs could have a huge impact on the recreational fishing industry in Rhode Island, an industry that already has a $300 million annual economic impact on the State.
Family ice fishing training
Last Saturday’s DEM family ice fishing training program was postponed due to poor ice conditions. The program has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Carolina Trout Hatchery in Carolina. As of this writing a limited number of spaces were still available. Cost is $7 per person or $5 each for families of three or more. Call Kimberly Sullivan at DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife at 539-7333 to register or for more information.
Goddard Memorial State Park Ice Safe
As of this writing, DEM has determined that safe ice conditions now exist in designated areas at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick and at Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln. The ice in designated areas at both parks in over eight inches thinks.
Rainbow trout stocked in several ponds
DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife stocked about 3,500 rainbow trout in served locations throughout the state this week and last in anticipation of winter ice-fishing. Locations stocked include Carbuncle Pond in Coventry, Olney Pond in Lincoln State Park, Round Top Pond in Burrillville, Silver Spring Pond in North Kingstown, Barber Pond in South Kingstown, Meadowbrook Pond in Richmond and Wood River in Exeter. A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are required. The daily creel and possession limit for trout are two per day.
Lowrance Demo Day
Hands on demonstrations and seminars on fresh and saltwater applications on Lowrance GPS/SONNAR/RADAR/SIDE SCANS this Saturday, February 6, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm at Wood Boat & Motor, 3630 West Shore Road, Warwick, RI. Check out the special pricing on all units, raffles and prices given away all day.
Annual fishing sale and flea market
On Sunday, March 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wood Boat and Motor will hold its annual fishing sale and flea market. The event is open to anyone wanting to sell their used or new tackle or equipment. All proceeds from admissions fees will be donated to The Homestead Group, a program for individuals with special needs.
An article titled “Reef Madness” by Gary Caputi (January 2010 issue of Saltwater Sportsman magazine) relates that the state of New Jersey is the poster child for artificial reef construction. New Jersey boasts 15 manmade reefs that have been constructed over the past 25 years. The list of items and material that dress the reefs is impressive and includes 7.5 million cubic yard of dredge rubble and demolition concrete, 158 sunken vessels, 397 tanks and armored personnel carriers, 269 subway cars, 31 railroad flatcars, 5,500 concrete reef balls and 16,500 other concrete castings.
Caputi relates that although reefs only cover one percent of the fishable area off the New Jersey coast, reefs account for approximately one of every four fish caught by anglers. Studies in New Jersey show reefs not only concentrate fish, but they help expand stocks. There is eight to ten times more marine life on reefs than on open bottom.
This article on reefs peaked my curiosity. Where are the artificial reefs in Rhode Island? A state roughly 37 miles wide and 48 miles long with over 400 miles of coastline has to have some artificial reefs.
We do have artificial reefs in Rhode Island, however, the program is just three years old. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) began construction of two inshore reef sites in March of 2006 and concluded work in August, 2007. The sites are off Newport to the south and both were built with debris from the old Jamestown Bridge. In 2007 one of the reefs was created off Sheep’s Point. The second reef site is located off Gooseberry. Coordinates of both sites can be found on page 13 of DEM’s 2009 Abstract of Marine Fisheries Rules and Regulations. The publication can also be found on DEM’s website at http://www.dem.ri.gov/.
I asked Nicole Lengyel, the DEM marine biologist responsible for DEM’s reef project, if anglers are fishing the artificial reefs. I asked if there is sea life and fish on the reefs. Lengyel said, “Few fisherman are aware of the reefs and few are fishing them”. She said that this year DEM hopes to post a form on their website so anglers can report fish that are caught on the reefs.
Richard Hittinger, chairman of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association reef committee and a member of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council, was and has been instrumental in the artificial reef movement in Rhode Island. Hittinger states that last year he brought a diver out to dive on the reefs to check out the sea life. The diver found fish, documenting his findings with photos of fluke, scup and sea bass on and around the reefs. Hittinger said, “Fish are on the reef but divers and anglers must be aware of the dangerous rebar protruding four and five feet from chucks of concrete on the bottom”.
Hittinger finds it disappointing that the State of Rhode Island still has no artificial reef plan in place. On a couple of occasions the RISAA reef committee wanted to continue to dress the reefs by sinking donated vessels on reef sites to add structure, but with no plan in place DEM was unable to grant them permission to sink vessels.
So, yes Rhode Island has artificial reefs, but is lacking the resources to conduct appropriate tests to measure their success and lacks an overall artificial reef plan to facilitate the dressing of already approved reef sites. Reefs are good for recreational fisherman. They attract fish, not only do they congregate fish, but they actually expand fish stocks. Looking at the lengthy list and volume of items used to dress reef sites in New Jersey, compared to the effort in Rhode Island is disappointing. Rhode Island needs an artificial reef plan from DEM so we can start to enhance our approved reef sites. Artificial reefs could have a huge impact on the recreational fishing industry in Rhode Island, an industry that already has a $300 million annual economic impact on the State.
Family ice fishing training
Last Saturday’s DEM family ice fishing training program was postponed due to poor ice conditions. The program has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Carolina Trout Hatchery in Carolina. As of this writing a limited number of spaces were still available. Cost is $7 per person or $5 each for families of three or more. Call Kimberly Sullivan at DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife at 539-7333 to register or for more information.
Goddard Memorial State Park Ice Safe
As of this writing, DEM has determined that safe ice conditions now exist in designated areas at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick and at Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln. The ice in designated areas at both parks in over eight inches thinks.
Rainbow trout stocked in several ponds
DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife stocked about 3,500 rainbow trout in served locations throughout the state this week and last in anticipation of winter ice-fishing. Locations stocked include Carbuncle Pond in Coventry, Olney Pond in Lincoln State Park, Round Top Pond in Burrillville, Silver Spring Pond in North Kingstown, Barber Pond in South Kingstown, Meadowbrook Pond in Richmond and Wood River in Exeter. A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are required. The daily creel and possession limit for trout are two per day.
Lowrance Demo Day
Hands on demonstrations and seminars on fresh and saltwater applications on Lowrance GPS/SONNAR/RADAR/SIDE SCANS this Saturday, February 6, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm at Wood Boat & Motor, 3630 West Shore Road, Warwick, RI. Check out the special pricing on all units, raffles and prices given away all day.
Annual fishing sale and flea market
On Sunday, March 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wood Boat and Motor will hold its annual fishing sale and flea market. The event is open to anyone wanting to sell their used or new tackle or equipment. All proceeds from admissions fees will be donated to The Homestead Group, a program for individuals with special needs.
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