Construction is underway on two new experimental artificial reef sites in Carteret County that will increase fishing opportunities for local anglers.
Work began yesterday at AR-380 on the Bogue Sound, just outside of Spooner’s Creek in Morehead City. Ninety-six structures called bay balls are being placed in the water to create habitat for fish. On Friday, work will begin at AR-381 near the mouth of the White Oak River in Cedar Point using 50 bay balls.
Until now, estuarine artificial reefs have mostly focused on oyster rehabilitation efforts. But State Artificial Reef Program Coordinator Jordan Byrum said the new experimental sites will create places for people to fish.
“Folks in smaller boats and skiffs and kayaks will be able to fish these when the weather isn’t ideal, particularly the one in Cedar Point. AR-381 is just right across the waterway from a boat ramp. So I think it’s going to be very, very popular with kayak anglers, it’s going to be very close to a marked kayak trail.”
Work on the reef sites should be finished next week, Byron said. The artificial reef construction is funded by the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program. The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries maintains 68 artificial reefs, 25 of which are located in estuarine waters.
