1935 FIRST FISHNG REEF

ARTIFICIAL FISHING REEF 1ST BUILT 1935

Friday 4 February, 1966, Charles H. Vaughan, reading from the booklet, “Pennsylvania - Reading Seashore Lines” makes the claim that the first artificial fishing

reef was begun off the southern tip of New Jersey.

Long Island anglers lay claim their reef of 1950 was first.

Long before artificial reefs, fishermen found the most consistent catches are made

in the vicinity of old ship wrecks well situated on the bottoms.

Early spring 1935, Cape May - Wildwood Partyboat Association's president, Robert Pierpoint, already aware that South Jersey fishing is better than other northern points of

Cape Henlopen, but feels a fish preserve will create a rest and feeding place and have a

positive effect for South Jersey's fishing

The U.S. War Department granted a fishing ground, four square miles, 1935 for the

planting of old boats, autos, railroad ties, old Christmas trees , medal tanks, drums, and debris for shell fish to cling to and form vast colonies of aquatic life. The first vessel was

a 183 foot sand barge sunk in September 1935, folowed by three other wrecks.

Stormy weather and ice delayed work last fall. It takes almost three months for a

breeding ground to develop.

When complete there will be a resting and feeding ground for millions of fish and

recently a fishing preserve was started off Atlantic City. We get no information of the Long Island project.

Abstract: Friday, 4 February, 1966, Philadelphia Inquirer.