Why is the New York DEC Purposely Sinking Boats?

Living in the Hudson Valley we sometimes don't think about New York State as having oceanfront property. We know about its rich river history but what about the part of New York that is on the Atlantic Ocean?

New York's Long Island Shoreline which borders the Atlantic Ocean is a popular tourist destination and is also a haven for people who enjoy fishing. Part of the environment in the ocean off Long Island is the responsibility of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC).

Why is the NYS DEC Sinking Boats off the Shore of Long Island?

One of the ways that the NYS DEC maintains the marine life off the shores of Long Island is with its Artificial Reef Program. This program is vital to to waters of Long Island.

Artificial reefs are manmade structures which are "aquatically recycled" to provide habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms. They are made with a variety of hard, durable materials including rock, concrete, and steel, which are selected based on their function, compatibility, stability, and availability. (via dec.ny.gov)

 

Where Does the NYS DEC Get its Material for the Artificial Reef System

The reef materials can come from a variety of sources and sometimes those sources have a lot of sentimental meaning such as the sinking of the "Jana Marie" a 70-foot fishing vessel the the DEC deployed on a spot they call Twelve Mile Reef.

The Jana Marie was sunk in what is referred to as a controlled flooding condition. It is a memorial reef placement in memory of Doug Oakland an avid fisherman. The Artificial Reef Program is popular with local fishermen and divers in Long Island. It helps support the economy of Long Island to have healthy waters for fishing and recreation.

When Did New York State Start Building Reefs

According to the NYS DEC construction of what is considered to be New York's first artificial reef started in 1949 on what is referred to as the McAllister Crounds. The New York State Reef Program however was officials created in 1962. In 1993 the DEC established a Marine Artificial Reef Development and Management Plan.

The NYS Artificial Reef Program was officially created in 1962, although the documented construction of New York's first artificial reef dates back to 1949 on McAllister Grounds. DEC established a Marine Artificial Reef Development and Management Plan in 1993. New York currently has a total of 16 artificial reef sites that are all in the waters that surround Long Island.

To Find Out more about New York's artificial reefs check out the NYS DEC Artificial Reef Guide.

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