Reef Ex Beaufort - artificial reef enhancement

On June 11 the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the S.C. Army National Guard teamed up once again and placed 20 stripped down armored personnel carriers (APC’s) into the waters at the Beaufort 45 artificial reef. The artificial reef in 45 feet of water was established about 15 years ago with concrete ‘reef balls,’ retired Army tanks and even debris from the old Broad River Bridge. The APC’s were distributed in a separate location from the artificial reef established 15 years ago, but are in the same permitted area for the Beaufort 45 Reef. Mel Bell is a fisheries biologist with DNR and said, “I have fished at the Beaufort 45 and I have dived on it, and I can tell you first hand that this is a healthy reef. Besides seeing lots of fish around the artificial reef I have seen sponges, soft corals and other fully developed invertebrates inhabiting the ecosystem. We put the APC’s in a separate location in order to disperse fishing pressure from any one area. Often divers and fishermen have to share these reefs, and the APC section will provide them a new option.” Of course it will take several years for invertebrates to colonize the APC’s. Over 33 permitted sites are active in S.C. waters and the joint program has been placing structure in these locations for the past fifteen years. Bell said, “This is a win, win situation for DNR, the S.C. Army National Guard, fishermen and our natural resources. In terms of budgeting DNR is only responsible to oversee the placement of the structure while the NG cleans and prepares their retired vehicles and takes care of the logistics of barges, cranes and such. DNR is extremely grateful for the work that they do.” S.C. has one of the most prolific reef building programs with the National Guard along the Atlantic Coast. Federal funding plays a role in the NG work and the Palmetto state regularly applies for and is awarded further project funding. Everything from military cargo containers, with holes cut in them, to tanks and APC’s have formed new artificial reefs. The forward-thinking Reef Ex program takes vehicles that are obsolete and creates a new future for them and for marine resources.

PhotoBySCDNR/PhillipJones: APC's go down to Davey Jones' locker

To view past blog entries about artificial reefs clock here.