Pamlico Point Artificial Reef Project – AR 293

In October 2023, CCA NC organized the deployment of almost 300 reef structures onto a 15-acre site in the Pamlico Sound to create North Carolina’s newest artificial fishing reef, AR-293. The new reef will boost the Pamlico River ecosystem and help the local economy in a remote part of Eastern North Carolina.

CCA NC, with financial support from Starborough Wine, purchased 82 3-D printed artificial reef structures that were submerged along with 200 reef balls provided by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, near the mouth of the Pamlico River off Mouse Harbor.

The new artificial reef provides refuge for important fish species such as red drum, sheepshead, black drum, striped bass and speckled trout, as well as oysters, mussels, crustaceans, invertebrates and other organisms, promoting biodiversity and vibrancy within the river ecosystem.

The reef deployment just south of Pamlico Point near Hobucken, N.C., was the second Pamlico River reef project for Natrx, CCA NC and the NCDMF in 16 months. Improving fish stocks provides an economic boost to the local community through increased recreational fishing activity while also relieving the pressure on popular fishing grounds by creating new destinations for anglers.