Axel Carlson Artificial Reef

Axel Carlson Artificial Reef

2.0 Nautical Miles off Mantoloking, 5.19 sq miles
Depth: 65-80 ft [download]

The Axel Carlson reef is situated in a trough next to an underwater hill known as the Manasquan Ridge. This is an area of silty mud bottom and usually has relatively poor visibility. Axel Carlson reef is sometimes referred to as the Mantoloking reef. It also contains a number of sunken army tanks ( not shown. ) Minimum clearance at mean low water is 40 feet.

The pink areas on the chart are the "Full Access Zones", approximately 0.6 square miles. These are the areas where commercial fishermen will continue to be allowed to set their traps and lines as of 2015. For the rest of us, those are more like "No Access Zones," but some sort of fair compromise needed to be reached with the commercial fishermen, some of whom could legitimately claim to have fished those spots for generations.

The actual location of the Carrabassett is a secret.

Axel Carlson Reef side-scan
Side-scan image of the entire reef, back when it was largely empty
Much more recent side-scan, showing build-up of rock piles
NOAA


Austin reef
Type:
artificial reef, trawler
Built:
1956, Tampa Marine, Tampa FL USA
Specs:
( 65 ft ) 79 GT
Sponsor:
Grady family, Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association, Ocean Reef Foundation of New Jersey
Sunk:
Wednesday Sept 21, 2016 - Axel Carlson Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°02.900' -73°59.000'
Depth:
80 ft






Northern Water Snake

Nerodia sipedon

Size: to 42"

Habitat: in and around water

Notes: Not poisonous, but likely to bite if caught, with sharp, needle-like teeth. These snakes retreat into the water at the slightest disturbance, and are excellent swimmers, although they show no particular adaptations to it like oceanic sea snakes. Common small harmless Garter snakes are also often found around water. Most sport some variation of an attractive pattern of yellow/black stripes.