Four Delaware Artificial Reefs in Atlantic Ocean to receive Federal Designation

 as Special Management Zones

Only hook-and-line and spear fishing will be allowed in designated zones

DOVER (June 12, 2015) – The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has established Special Management Zones (SMZ) at four of Delaware’s Atlantic Ocean artificial reefs under a new rule that was published in the Federal Register and will go into effect July 9. DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife began the SMZ designation process in 2011 to limit fishing gear permitted on the four reefs and thereby eliminate gear conflicts between commercial and recreational fishing and to ensure compliance with restrictions under the federal Sport Fish Restoration program recreational fishing funding used to establish the reefs.