State of New Jersey Seal Official Site of The State of New Jersey

May 28, 2021

Granite Monuments Added to the Barnegat Light Reef Site

In May, 2021, Bureau of Marine Fisheries staff expanded the State’s artificial reef network with deployments on the Barnegat Light Reef site.

With the help of DEP’s Aids to Navigation Team, the Reef Program was able to deploy an estimated 400 gravestones and mixed concrete rubble, weighing approximately 60 tons in total. This series of deployments is now resting at the following coordinates:
39* 45.32 x 074* 01.60

The material was donated to the NJ Artificial Reef Program by Schick Monuments of Millville and South Jersey Monuments of Vineland.

Monuments on board vessel for deployment

Artificial reefs are typically made up of concrete, steel, decommissioned metal ships and barges and provide habitat for a variety of marine life such as black sea bass, tautog and lobster, providing excellent opportunities for recreational anglers and divers.

For more information, please visit the Artificial Reef Program page or contact NJ Reef Program Coordinator Peter Clarke at 609-748-2020.

Previous Deployments
Artificial Reef Locations

Fully colonized artificial reef structure
Last Update: April 18th, 2023