Inshore Artificial Reefs Enhanced In St. Catherines Sound

Some improved fishing spots and structure that will improve habitat for numerous saltwater species were added to St. Catherines Sound in November.

Georgia DNR recently coordinated a materials enhancement at Bear River and Van Dyke Creek Inshore Artificial Reefs located at St. Catherines.

Inshore artificial reefs were enhanced in St. Catherines Sound with new material.

“At Van Dyke Creek the deployment supplemented 25-year-old metal material that had begun to degrade, thereby losing some of its value as a reef structure. The new material will restore the habitat benefits provided by this reef,” said marine biologist Cameron Brinton. “However, I am more excited about the material at Bear River, which is an expansion beyond the originally deployed material and creating new habitat.”

Catch-All Fishing Trip In St. Catherine’s Sound

Cameron expects that within a year the new materials deployed at this site will become colonized with barnacles, oysters and other marine life, creating shelter and feeding opportunities for small invertebrates and fish. This will attract sheepshead, seatrout and red drum, popular inshore species for anglers.

The enhancement was conducted by Zulu Marine Services using 475 tons of concrete rubble generated during the expansion of the Sunbury Boat Ramp and 36 concrete reef balls purchased through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration.

The new reef material was placed in subtidal waters at both reefs, which are part of a network of 15 inshore manmade fish habitats along the Georgia coast.

For a complete list and info on all of Georgia’s inshore artificial reefs, click here.