Artificial Reef To Be Built In East Providence Waters

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — The Nature Conservancy and the Department of Environmental Management will be constructing artificial reefs off Sabin Point Park in East Providence this week. This will be the first time that artificial reefs will be installed in Rhode Island waters.

The goal of the project is to enhance recreational fishing at Sabin Point, according to the Nature Conservancy. The project will test whether artificial reefs are an effective strategy for boosting the productivity of upper Narragansett Bay.

The artificial reefs will take place Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Specialty Diving will transport 64 reef balls — hollow, dome-shaped structures — via barge from Quonset Point to Sabin Point.

The reef balls are three feet high and four feet in diameter. A large crane will lift the reef balls eight at a time, suspended with straps from a steel frame, and install them onto the bay floor.

Construction will be visible from Sabin Point Park. Exact deployment point will not be known until Thursday, the Nature Conservancy says.