"To promote understanding of the economic and ecological benefits of Artificial Reefs in Eastern North Carolina, in order to raise money for the sinking of new Shipwrecks for the enjoyment of SCUBA Divers and Sports Fisherman along the Crystal Coast of North Carolina."
If you Can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em
The "If you Can't Beat 'em, Eat 'em" Spearfishing Tournament will be an annual tournament to raise public awareness of the lionfish invasive species problem in the Atlantic; to develop a possible management strategy by creating the means for a sustainable commercial fishery; and to encourage the sale of locally caught seafood.
The S/V Hardrock Sinks
On June 11 after months of preparation the East Carolina Artificial Reef Association sunk the S/V Hardrock as another artificial reef on the reef site also home to the Indra, the Nepomuk and a Barge. ECARA would like to thank the tireless efforts of Terry Leonard & Dean Anderson in this project and LeRoy Craytor, Steve Myers, Brent Greenberg, Wes Cooper, Calvin & Teresa Shaw of Aquatic Pleasures.
Plans to sink the USS Radford off Md. coast move ahead
Plans to sink the former destroyer USS Arthur W. Radford off the Maryland coast this spring to serve as a fish reef will apparently not be affected by the Navy's decision to recycle, rather than sink, four other retired warships.
Eastern NC's Most Recent Artificial Reef
The weather could not have been more perfect as the Outrageous V pulled away from the dock on Tuesday morning. The goal of the day was to sink an old barge, donated by Taylor Brothers Marine Construction, to the Artificial Reef Program. The Eastern Carolina Artificial Reef Association acquired the barge about 9 months ago and has been working tirelessly to prepare the vessel to become the next victim of the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The tow to the AR-330 site (Indra) took approximately 4 hours. Once the barge was moved into position she was attached the Indra with a cable about 150 feet off the stern. As the soft patches on either side were removed the workers on deck began pumping sea water into the bilge, all that was left to do was wait. Once the soft patches started dipping below the surface it was time for the workers to break down the pumps and clear off the deck, it was only a matter of time now.
Support for scuttled ship diving site in Australia
Support is growing for a recently decommissioned Navy ship to be scuttled as a recreational dive site in Jervis Bay.
Federal member for Gilmore, Joanna Gash has made multiple requests in the past for the Navy to scuttle a ship in the area. The ship wreck would be a popular attraction for recreational divers and fishermen.