Magothy River
Reef Ball Project Flyer:
The Magothy River Association (MRA) is developing fishing reefs at
multiple locations in the Magothy River in cooperation with the
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Maryland
Environmental Service (MES). Funding is being provided by grants and
in-kind services from reef partners. The project includes diver training
and environmental monitoring by divers.
The Reef Balls are being deployed under the terms and conditions of
DNR’s oyster sanctuary permit for the Magothy River. The fishing reefs
will be developed near existing oyster reefs using more than 100 Reef
Balls. DNR is providing technical advice and coordination with
sportsfishing groups. MES is providing planning and technical advice
for Reef Ball acquisition, local production and deployment.
The Reef Balls can be up to 400 pounds apiece and are several feet
high. Each Reef Ball provides complex reef structure for attachment by
marine organisms including filter feeders and vegetation. The modules
will be placed in clusters to magnify their biological effectiveness
relative to use by fish populations. Reef performance will be monitored
through MRA’s longstanding diver and diver training program.
Acquisition and deployment of Reef Balls is being funded through a
grant to MRA from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and Fish America
Foundation with supplemental in-kind volunteer support from MRA,
MES, Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) and others. Additional
Reef Balls are being funded through a grant to MES by the Abell
Foundation.
MES provided 4 Lo Pro Reef Balls for the Magothy River project. MES
and MRA held two demonstration pours with volunteers from MRA,
MES, AACC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S.
Naval Academy Oceanography Club, and others. AACC and Ferry
Point Marina graciously hosted the pour events. The goal of the pours
is to provide hands-on opportunities for individuals to help with
environmental restoration in the Magothy River watershed and to
supplement the quantity of Reef Balls that will be available for use.
Maryland
Environmental
Service
MES previously installed 225 medium sized Reef Balls
at 5 oyster reef sanctuaries under DNR’s sponsorship.
These modules are field testing the technology’s
capability to support the oyster recovery program. MES,
with assistance from the Reef Ball Development Group,
and Reef Ball Foundation are working cooperatively to
bring Reef Balls to the artificial fishing reefs in support
of reef and oyster restoration activities. MES has
established a modest local production capability to
support introduction of the technology for developing
and enhancing fish habitat and to provide sport fishing
opportunities.
Grant support for the development of fish habitat and
fishing opportunities using Reef Balls has been
graciously provided by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and
Abell Foundation, Exxon-Mobil Foundation, Fish
America Foundation, and Reef Ball Foundation. In-kind
support is being provided by various reef partners.
