CCA Sinks Barge at Edisto 60 Artificial Reef

Barge with Shark Statue Going Down to Edisto 60

 The nearshore fishery off of Edisto Beach should be more productive in the future due to the creation of a new artificial reef on Tuesday September 14. A barge that is 260-feet long was sunk at the Edisto Nearshore Reef in 60-feet of water, and it will add habitat for fish of all sizes to utilize. The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) is adding new reef material to all of South Carolina’s permitted reef sites by 2030, in conjunction with SCDNR and sponsors like Sea Hunt Boats. The new artificial reef at Edisto is CCA’s largest one so far and is sure to be a magnet for cobia, redfish, sharks and other marine life.

Barge at Stevens Towing, with added boxcars

Some of the first artificial reefs off S.C. were fabricated cement balls that provided fish with habitat on an otherwise flat and featureless ocean bottom. Then fisheries managers graduated to using other things such as excess military equipment like tanks, after they had been cleansed of pollutants. Now the game has changed to include large boats and barges, because they are easily towed to a nearshore reef location and once sunk, they provide more of a 3-D habitat underwater, which fish respond well too.

            

By the numbers, the barge sunk 13-miles off Edisto Beach is 260-feet long, 50-feet wide and 30-feet deep. The barge alone would provide extra habitat, but the reef makers have learned they can add other structures to a barge to create a higher quality reef. In this case, 12 shipping containers were welded to the deck of the barge, and holes were cut in them so that fish can swim through and navigate the entire structure. The Town of Mt. Pleasant recently demolished their water tower and donated part of that superstructure, which is also attached to the deck of the barge, providing even more surface area and relief.

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Press and Standard. 

To view past blog entries from Edisto in 2021 click on Belles Beach Walk - Vacasa Purchases Atwood-  Gullah Blessing for Hutchinson House - Town Budget - Town Turtle Patrol - Edisto Billfish Tourney 

To view past articles I wrote for CCA and TIDE magazine click on 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009

To view past blog entries from Edisto in 2019 click on ACE Basin Appreciation - Dolphin Slam - Jim Bost Memorial - Sea Turtle Nesting

 To view past blog entries from 2018 at Edisto click on Thirsty Whale Tours - I Love Edisto Auction - Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Coastal Geology - Grits Cook Off

To view past blog entries from 2017 at Edisto click on Holiday Business After Hours - EIOLT Oyster Roast - Billfish Tourney - Bingo - Tomato Open- I Love Edisto Auction - Jim Bost Memorial - Shark Tourney

To view past blog entries from 2016 at Edisto click on Serpentarium - Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Cobia Tourney - Spring Shorebird Synergy - Bovine Bones on Beach - Edisto River book