Ali Reid takes us below the surface to show how the Garden State is turning trash into treasure - and reeling in more than just fish.

Belmar

Artificial reefs made from old boats, subway cars, and concrete are being used off the coast of New Jersey to create new habitats for marine life. Since its inception in 1987, New Jersey's artificial reef program has expanded from four to 17 sites, stretching from Sandy Hook to Cape May. These reefs now support a variety of species, including sea bass, crabs, and lobsters, and are responsible for nearly 65% of all bottom fishing in the area.

The reefs also contribute to local tourism, as towns along the coast benefit from increased visitor activity related to fishing and diving. Each vessel used in the reefs is thoroughly cleaned before being submerged, and the sites are regularly monitored to track species and population changes. The initiative is part of a broader network of reef programs along the East Coast, helping to create new ecosystems from materials that would otherwise be discarded.

NJ's artificial reefs helping sea life & economy

Old boats, subway cars, even chunks of concrete. They may sound like junk, but off the Jersey Shore coastline, they're the building blocks of something actually pretty wild. Today, we're in Belmar, New Jersey, as we head out to sea to show you how artificial reefs are bringing new life beneath the surface. Shark 71, reef down. Hey, good morning. Standing by for your 11.30 opening. Just a few miles off the coast, what looks like an underwater scrap yard is actually a thriving ecosystem. We've got sea bass, Jonah crabs, lobsters, spider crab. We're creating habitat for things, you know, small organisms, algae, copepods, crabs. New Jersey's artificial reef program started back in 1987 with just four reef sites. Now, there are 17, spanning from Sandy Hook to Cape May. Almost 65% of all bottom fishing that occurs off the coastline of New Jersey is occurring on an artificial reef. And it's not just fish that are biting. Tourists are hooked too. All of these towns that are associated with inlets along our coast have a reef site that supports tourism, people coming to the area. Each vessel is stripped clean before it's given a second life for fish underwater. They need the right water temperature, they need food, things to eat, and they need a place to live. Like this subway car built back in the 1950s, the reefs are monitored seasonally, lifting traps once a week during the spring, summer, and fall. We can tell things like what fish species are utilizing a reef during a certain time of year during those three seasons, what those species are, what the abundance of those species looks like. This isn't just a local effort. Reef programs like this stretch across the East Coast, creating a network of habitats that's making waves far beyond New Jersey. And ultimately, what's tossed away up here becomes a new world down below. For AccuWeather in Belmar, New Jersey, I'm Allie Reed.

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