The Axel Carlson Reef, located 4.4 nautical miles southeast of Manasquan Inlet in Momouth County, will receive 800 tons of concrete pier pedestals on February 7, 2007, as part of the Division's Artificial Reef Program. The pier pedestals (pictured below) were obtained from a dilapidated pier in New York Harbor that was recently demolished. The intent of deploying the pedestals is to enhance the drift fishing area at the south end of the reef site.

The pedestals, amounting to 497 cubic yards, will soon provide an attachment surface for mussels, barnacles, hydroids, anemones, stony coral and other invertebrates, which will quickly cover the structure with a living carpet, providing the base of a productive marine food chain (picture below). By summer, sea bass, tautog, scup, triggerfish and summer flounder will colonize the new reef. It will then become a favorite target of anglers coming out of Manasquan and Shark River Inlets.

Fully Colonized Concrete (photo courtesy Herb Segars)

The target date for deployment of February 7 is subject to weather and sea conditions. For further information regarding the deployment of the vessel contact Hugh Carberry at 609-748-2022.

For information on past and planned deployments see the Artificial Reef Deployments page.