Long Island's Artificial Reefs To Be Greatly Expanded

Long Island will be the home of the largest expansion of artificial reefs in New York history, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday.

Cuomo says it is the largest program to construct artificial reefs in the Empire State. The reefs will be made of old tug boats, barges and scows, as well as cleaned and recycled materials from the former Tappan Zee Bridge. The material will be used to build six artificial reefs off the Long Island coast.

"The sustainability and health of New York's marine resources is critical to communities along our shores, and by constructing these reef habitats, we are investing in a stronger more diverse marine ecosystem," Cuomo said. "As the largest artificial reef construction program in state history, these efforts will increase New York's marine biodiversity, provide new habitats for a variety of coral and fish, and support a growing tourism industry that brings thousands of anglers and travelers to Long Island's pristine waters every year."

Recycled materials from the Department of Transportation, Canal Corporation and the Thruway Authority will be used to develop the artificial reef sites and increase the biodiversity of these habitats for a variety of fish and lobsters. Construction of New York's first artificial reef dates back to 1949, and this latest initiative marks the state's first coordinated effort to stimulate the full environmental and economic benefits of artificial reefs.

New York's marine resources are critical to the state's economy, Cuomo's office said, supporting nearly 350,000 jobs and generating billions of dollars through tourism, fishing and other industries. More than 500,000 anglers in the region will reap the benefits of this new initiative, supporting the region's growing marine economy, which accounts for approximately 9.7 percent of Long Island's total GDP.

Beginning in May, state agencies will start to deploy 33 barges of Tappan Zee Bridge recycled materials and 30 vessels that have been cleaned of all contaminants. A total of 43,200 cubic yards of recycled Tappan Zee Bridge material, 338 cubic yards of steel pipe from DOT and 5,900 cubic yards of jetty rock will be submerged and added to six reef sites as part of the first phase of this initiative. The six artificial reefs are:

• Smithtown Reef — Three canal vessels and one barge of steel will be deployed between June 8-15. The 3-acre reef is located 1.6 miles from shore.
• Shinnecock Reef — One barge of the Tappan Zee Bridge material, one barge of steel pipes and two canal vessels will be deployed May 2. The 35-acre reef is located two miles from shore.
• Moriches Reef — Two barges of Tappan Zee Bridge material and two canal vessels will be deployed in July and August to expand the artificial reef. The 14-acre reef is located 2.4 miles from shore.
• Fire Island Reef — Ten barges of Tappan Zee Bridge material, 11 canal vessels, one barge of steel and four barges of jetty rock will be deployed June 26 through 28. The 744-acre reef is located two miles from shore.
• Hempstead Reef — Twelve barges of Tappan Zee Bridge material and 11 canal vessels will be deployed in July and August. The 744-acre reef is located 3.3 miles from shore.
• Rockaway Reef — One barge of Tappan Zee Bridge material will be deployed in July and August. The 413-acre reef is located 1.6 miles from shore.

The reefs are built out of hard, durable structures such as rock, concrete and steel pipes, and usually in the form of surplus or scrap materials that are cleaned of contaminants. After materials and vessels settle to the sea floor, larger fish like blackfish, cod and striped bass move in to build habitats within the new structures, and encrusting organisms such as barnacles, sponges, anemones, corals and mussels cling to and cover the material. Over time, all these structures will create habitat similar to a natural reef.

"Long Island's legendary fishing industry is world renowned," said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. "With the addition of these clean, recycled materials, the artificial reefs off our shores will develop into larger habitats and help our marine life diversify and grow."

Photo: Gov. Cuomo's Office