The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has sunk two vintage vessels on Reef Site 11, known as the Redbird Reef, to enhance recreational fishing and diving. The project involved scuttling the ex-USS Winthrop, a decommissioned Navy tugboat, and the ex-Barges Bayonne, a surplus Army Corps of Engineers dredge barge. These additions aim to attract marine life and improve biodiversity, benefiting anglers and divers.
The Redbird Reef, part of DNREC’s Artificial Reef Program, already hosts over 700 structures, including subway cars and military vehicles. The new vessels are expected to quickly become encrusted with marine organisms, attracting species such as black sea bass and flounder. This initiative supports sustainable marine environments and promotes local recreational activities.
