Shinnecock Artificial Reef

Shinnecock Artificial Reef (old)
( 40.80139, -72.47293 )

Depth: 76 - 84 ft
2.0 Nautical miles south of Shinnecock Inlet

Shinnecock Artificial Reef

Shinnecock Reef was originally very small, but has been expanded greatly. The pink region is the historical area, and the blue region is the new deployment zone, while the full permitted size of the reef is roughly a square that encloses the deployment zone.

Shinnecock Artificial Reef

Not Shown:

  • 46 ft pleasure craft - 1987
  • 2 tugboats
  • 9 barges
  • 1,000 tire units

In the old version of the website, I had the names Marlu and Maroca recorded for this reef. When I got the new photos off most of the reefs, Maroca became apparent - it is spray-painted on the transom of the vessel. Marlu was harder, but I think I have that one figured out as well. I also had a second drydock at Fire Island that I think belongs here. New York's reef program was moribund for so long that the records are unclear.

Reef site coordinates differ from NOAA Navigational Charts.

side-scan sonar image of Shinnecock Reef, click to enlarge

Note the remains of the drydock at lower-left, the square lighthouse at top-center, with Marlu and Mandy Ray to the right. The freckles at the upper-left are Army tanks.




rock reef
A hopper barge full of rock

All manner of concrete, steel, and stone rubble from dredging, demolition projects, and other construction is used as artificial reef materials. This material is generally available at very low cost or free from construction companies who are more than happy to get rid of it. Transportation costs determine where this material is used by the Reef Program.





Sand Tiger Shark

Carcharias taurus

Size:
to 11 ft

Habitat:
coastal waters

Notes:
dangerous
if provoked, usually unaggressive

Sand Tiger sharks have a broad inshore distribution. In the Western Atlantic, this shark occurs from the Gulf of Maine to Florida, in the northern Gulf of Mexico, in the Bahamas, and in Bermuda. The sand tiger shark is one of at least four species belonging to the family Odontaspididae. Synonyms include Carcharias taurus, Eugomphodus taurus, and Carcharias arenarius.

Printed from njscuba.net