As you all have previously heard, the NJ Artificial Reef Program is back in action. There have been three vessels recently sunk this year including one involving one of our member clubs. The Manasquan River Marlin & Tuna Club partnered with the Ann E. Clark Foundation to fund the sinking of New York Harbor Charlie, a 65’ crew ship. She was sunk on the Axel Carlson Reef on August 9th in memory of Jack Murray. Jack was a key member of the MRMTC from 1967 until his passing in 2013. He was the President for three years and Vice President for eight years. He was very involved within the recreational fishing community having served as a member of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) and the National Coalition for Marine Conservation. He was a director and served as President of The US Atlantic Tuna Tournament. Jack still holds the MRMTC club record for yellowfin tuna with a 286# fish caught in 1981.
NY Harbor Charlie now lies on the NW corner of the Axel at N40 03.788/ W073 59.380. She is upright on her keel and will provide excellent marine habitat with all her nooks and crannies. JCAA is extremely pleased to see this addition to the artificial reef.
“Artificial reefs create important habitat for many types of marine life, and attract fish that are popular with recreational anglers,” said NJDEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “Our artificial reefs are an important part of the economy of the Jersey Shore because they are so popular with anglers as well as sport divers.”
