CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - An old fishing boat and some concrete erosion structures are the latest things wildlife officials are sinking to create artificial reefs in the ocean off South Carolina.
The 65-foot (20-meter) fishing trawler and the concrete blocks were added to the C.J. Davidson Jr. Reef off Georgetown, the Department of Natural Resources said in a news release.
They join a large barge and 20 Army vehicles in about 50 feet (15 meters) of water as wildlife officials hope fish and other marine life will thrive in the nooks and crannies.
Scientists are especially interested in observing what happens with the concrete structures originally designed as erosion control.
“These have not been used specifically as fish habitat before,” said Robert Martore, who leads DNR’s artificial reef program. “We will monitor the structures, and if they attract and hold significant numbers of fishes, we will construct more and distribute them along the coast.”
DNR has been sinking things for artificial reefs for 40 years. Bridge spans, military vehicles and subway cars are all now on the ocean floor.
The items are rigorously cleaned before they are sunk, DNR officials said.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.