Two Artificial Reefs Being Completed Off The Jersey Coast

The Sea Girt and Axel Carlson Reefs, located offshore of Monmouth County, are part of the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife's Artificial Reef Program. Both reefs will receive concrete rubble from a damaged seawall. Each reef will receive one load of approximately 930 cubic yards.

Once the concrete is deposited, it will be an attachment surface for mussels, barnacles, anemones, stony coral and other invertebrates. Those animals will quickly cover the structures with a living carpet, which provides the base of a productive marine food chain. By summer, officials expect the new reef to be home to sea bass, tautog, scup, triggerfish and summer flounder, becoming a favorite target of anglers coming out of Manasquan Inlet.

If you're curious, the location of the Axel Carlson Reef is 40 00.900' 73 59.700' and 40 07.450' 73 56.800' for Sea Girt.

The state funds the program through excise taxes on recreational fishing gear and motor boat fuel.