|
Long Bay Artifical Reefs
 Long Bay, NC
|
Entry Type: Boat
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
|
|
|
|
|
Long Bay Artifical Reefs is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Long Bay, NC.
In August 1984, the Long Bay Artificial Reef Association was formed. This non-profit organization launched an aggressive reef-building campaign. What they proposed was to establish six artificial reef sites in five years.
Six reef sites may not seem like a lot, but considering that only one had been established in Brunswick County, and each reef cost from $20,000 to $60,000, this was an ambitious program. It was a program, however, which the Reef Association was determined to put in place. As President Dale McDowell stated, “We wanted to establish new areas to support basic marine life needed to improve the fisheries. But we weren’t interested in just throwing junk in the ocean. We wanted to do things right.”
With cooperation from the North Carolina Department of Marine Fisheries, the LBARA outlined the six reef sites and began to seek funding. It was a difficult task, but McDowell and his associates proved resourceful. They soon received $10,000 from the Brunswick County Commissioners.
Their first project, AR 420, began on September 6, 1986. The original reef consisted of a 104 ft YSD vessel.
Over the years, the LBARA has complied an impressive record. Those six reefs were established by 1992. These sites have been enhanced through the years by the addition of tugboats, barges and millions of pounds of concrete pipe and 1500 “Reef Balls”
An example of a "Reef Ball"
In June 1996, a seventh reef, AR 465 “Gary Ennis Reef” was established. The Mance Lassiter, a former menhaden boat 184’ long was sunk 30 miles off Lockwood Folly Inlet. The Charlotte Offshore Sport Fishing Club in honor of Gary Ennis, friend, officer and sportsman funded this project.
Project 98 introduced “Reef Balls” to North Carolina placing 100 on each of four reef sites.
lbara.com/index.html ncfisheries.net/reefs/sofear.htmWeb site for videos of various wreck sites in the area:
olympusdiving.com/PhotoGallery/VideoGallery/tabid/115/Default.aspx