Onslow Reef Association celebrates first three artificial reefs
Sen. Michael Lee speaks at Surf Club dinner
By Henry Burnett
Intern
Onslow Bay Artificial Reef Association (OBARA) celebrated completion of three artificial reefs off the North Carolina coast at Surf Club June 19. North Carolina Senator Michael Lee spoke briefly about artificial reefs’ importance to coastal North Carolina’s economy.
Lee Parsons, OBARA member since 1998, said this project cost around $750,000.
“This is the first major state money we’ve gotten so far,” Parsons said.
OBARA Executive Director Rita Merritt said artificial reefs attract not only fish and wildlife, but fisherman and scuba divers. They positively impact both the environment and the economy, she said.
Dennis Barbour, OBARA board member and chairman of New Hanover County Port, Waterway and Beach Commission, described personal benefits from artificial reefs.
“I know how very important artificial reefs are to near-area fisherman. I am one of them,” Barbour said.
Parsons added the state’s fishing has improved as artificial reefs have been established.
“Our summer sail fishing is as good as anywhere off Miami,” he said.
Most of the funding came from N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing License fees. Lee said those funds are only available to projects such as OBARA.
“The state legislature is not allowed to touch that money, which is a good thing,” Lee said.
Those funds, however, can only finance projects within three miles from the N.C. coast. OBARA has started a fourth reef farther off shore, which will rely more heavily on private funds.
That fourth reef, Merritt said, is along what locals used to call Five Mile Box Cars. OBARA plans to use experimental pods to seed the reef, which will first undergo environmental testing. The three completed reefs are mostly made of reinforced concrete. – Henry Burnett
