WILMINGTON — After receiving input from the public, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has selected seven artificial reef sites to undergo enhancement along the state’s coast, three of which are in the Cape Fear region.
READ MORE: Three new artificial reefs coming to the Cape Fear region, part of seafloor enhancement project
The artificial reef program is kicking off this year in Raleigh Bay and aims to have the seven reef sites developed and enhanced in five coastal regions, with one project completed per year.
The Cape Fear region is expected to have three reef sites enhanced: AR-376 in Southern Onslow Bay will receive enhancements of concrete pipe and aggregated rock in 2026-2027, and AR-340 and AR-342 in Northern Onslow Bay is planned to get sunken vessel and concrete pipe additions in 2028-2029.
The four other sites will all receive concrete pipe to enhance the artificial reefs:
- AR-230 and AR-250 in Raleigh Bay in 2025
- AR-440 in Long Bay in 2025-2026
- AR-140 in the Outer Banks in 2027-2028
North Carolina’s coast is short on natural reefs with only 3% covering the seafloor. The artificial reef program aims to create more habitat and enhance local ecosystems.
Tips or comments at info@portcitydaily.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
