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Commission hears outline of proposed artificial reef sites off Dennis and Brewster
Summary
A member relayed Mass Division of Marine Fisheries plans for two artificial-reef sites (15 acres total, two 7.5-acre areas) with constraints on eelgrass and shellfish beds, 20 feet navigable water at low tide, seasonal work windows, and whale-observer requirements; funding and permits are still pending.
Commissioners were briefed on a proposal from the Mass Division of Marine Fisheries to place artificial-reef material at two sites — one off Dennis and one off Brewster — aimed at improving fisheries habitat and recreational fishing.
A member (speaker 1) said the fisheries division prefers flat, sandy bottoms with no eelgrass or shellfish beds and seeks to place rubble (about eight feet of material in places) in two sites totaling roughly 15 acres, with about 7.5 acres of actual rubble placement per site. The member said the sites would require at least 20 feet of navigable water at dead low tide and that work would likely take place after May 15 and be finished before Dec. 15 to avoid peak whale-migration periods. “They’re talking a total of, 15 acres, but only 7 and a half would be utilized for the rubble,” the member said.
The member also said fisheries staff were looking at reusing concrete rubble from forthcoming bridge demolition projects as reef material and noted the division intends to require a whale observer on each barge during placement. Funding was described as not yet in place, and the member said permitting is in process; the member expected permits could be applied for without an application fee once town signoffs were secured.
Commissioners agreed the reef idea could boost fishing habitat and recreational use but did not take a formal position; they asked to receive the Cape Cod Commission report on harbor value and to circulate additional materials for review.
