New Jersey Scuba Diving

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The pink and white areas are shipping lanes. 'Natural' shipwrecks are depicted with a wreck symbol.

Throughout this website, you have probably found many references to artificial reefs. An artificial reef is any man-made object placed in the sea as a habitat for marine organisms. Sealife is drawn like a magnet to any large object in the otherwise featureless bottom sand. Almost anything will do, but objects that can withstand the corrosive effects of saltwater are best.

The objective of artificial reefs is to create hard structure habitat for mussels, Sea Bass, Blackfish, Porgy, lobster, and many other species of marine life. Once fish and shellfish establish themselves in their new homes - and it doesn't take long - the reefs produce excellent catches of fish for anglers and provide underwater attractions for scuba divers.

Artificial Reef Sites

New Jersey Artificial Reef Sites

• New Jersey Artificial Reef Charts

New York Artificial Reef Sites

• New York Artificial Reef Charts

Delaware Artificial Reef Sites

• Delaware Artificial Reef Charts

All artificial reef activities are controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers, which issues permits for specified materials to be sunk only in specified locations, to avoid creating hazards to navigation. Once a permit for an area is issued, the state may build the reef as it sees fit with little more involvement from the ACOE. Permits must be renewed periodically. The chart above indicates permitted areas in three states, as well as the main approaches to New York harbor. One of the difficulties in selecting a location for a reef is obvious - any place inside the heavily trafficked shipping lanes is out of the question. (Update: used to be out of the question.)

Now with GPS numbers!

A Guide to Fishing & Diving New Jersey Reefs
NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, 3rd edition

Includes GPS numbers for all reef sites.

Download your copy of the 3rd edition here. This invaluable book has been out of print for years.