VSSA
Reef Program Support
VSSA is pleased to offer our new Artificial Reef Guides.
To purchase, click 'Buy Now'. Cost is $50 plus $4 shipping. We have them back in stock.
Click 'Buy Now' to order yours today.
This 20-page full-color book provides detailed images and highly accurate GPS locations of the
artificial reefs in Virginia. Each page displays the image scans of the reef itself, along with GPS locations in latitude/longitude format, allowing you to go directly to the structure shown in the book. This book is only available in print form.
All proceeds from this book will be donated to new reef materials to enhance the Virginia Artificial Reef Program. This product is sponsored by the Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association (VSSA). For more information or to join VSSA, go to ifishva.org or joinvssa.org.
By purchasing this book for $50, you can join VSSA for a one-year membership. VSSA membership is currently $25 per year, but by purchasing this book, you will receive a one-year membership/one-year renewal at no additional cost. Current members may renew their membership by purchasing this book as well. To receive your free one-year VSSA membership, send a copy of your purchase receipt to: ifishva@gmail.com
The following reefs are included with detailed scans and waypoint GPS locations:
Asphalt Reef
Back River Reef
Blackfish Banks
Cabbage Patch Reef
Cherrystone Reef
East Oceanview Reef
Nassawadox Reef
Nundua Puncoteague Reef
Newport News Reef
Northern Neck Reef
Occonhannock Reef
Parramore Reef Subway Cars
Tower Reef
Triangle Reef
Wachapreague Reef
Windmill Point Reef
June 10, 2023
VSSA thanks all the volunteers who took the time to deploy the reef balls on Saturday, June 10. A special thanks to Heard Concrete in Chesapeake for pouring the reef balls for our first reef deployment. Here is a quick video from Channel 13 news.
VSSA – VMRC Artificial Reef Plan for 2023 and beyond – Capturing the Power of Volunteerism
Saturday, June 10, 2023, Deployment
Virginia’s artificial reefs are in need of periodic maintenance with new material in order to keep and attract fish. One of the VSSA goals is to identify opportunities for volunteers to assist in maintaining our reefs properly. While we have efforts underway for larger pieces and donations, the purpose of this program is to harness the power of volunteerism.
We are asking anglers from across the state to consider making plans to make micro-donations to the reefs.
Our plan:
Our first deployment will take place at East Ocean View Reef on June 10, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This will be a pilot program to test procedures with VMRC staff and VSSA volunteers. If all goes well, our plan is to continue with more reef events into 2023 and beyond. All volunteers must sign up using the link below to participate.
VSSA Reef Deployment Sign-up Form.
If you want to donate directly to the VSSA Artificial Reef Program Support, please click the button marked “donate” below, and you will be guided. VSSA is an approved 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations and gifts are tax-deductible. Please consider donating any amount you feel you can contribute. All your donations will help support our action plan to fight for your right to fish recreationally in Virginia. (Please note that all donations go to VSSA for reef support, not to VMRC.)
OCEAN VIEW MAP OF REEF
Reef Balls
VSSA has teamed with Heard Concrete, 201 Dexter Street West, Suite 100, Chesapeake, VA 23324
to produce reef balls in several sizes.
FYI, you must enter via the Atlantic Avenue side to access the yard. https://goo.gl/maps/1WygPQJ2i3TTcd26A Anglers can select the size and number of available reef balls that they are comfortable handling on their vessel. Once inspected by VMRC staff, we will announce a date that anglers can stop by to pick up reef balls that their boat and anglers can manage. VSSA salutes Heard Concrete for its volunteer efforts in making this happen. Here are some pictures and a video of the reef balls being made for this project.
We have 3 sizes.
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Oyster Ball 40-60 lbs
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Lo-Pro 100 lbs
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Mini-Bay Ball 250 lbs. We are finding that the Oyster Ball is a one-man lift,
and the Lo-Pro is a two-man lift. The Mini-Bay may be too big for most.
Approval Process
All participants must sign a waiver of liability form(s) for both the VMRC and VSSA before deployment. It is important that you only bring cubes or balls that you and your crew can safely manage. Old carpet or tarps can be used to protect your boat from being scratched by the concrete, but neither VMRC nor VSSA will be held liable. Use your judgment and, above all, be safe. You must arrive at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp between 8 am and 10 am to have your reef ball inspected by VMRC and sign the liability waivers. Each vessel will be issued a numbered flag to display on your boat, allowing the VMRC to identify you as a participant. You may arrive at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp either by boat coming into Lynnhaven Inlet or by trailer your boat to the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp.
Deployment Day
Once approved at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp, you may proceed to East Ocean View Reef, where a VMRC boat will be anchored. As you approach the reef, hail the staff boat on channel 72 to make contact (we will also provide a backup cell number on that day). You will be instructed to pull up alongside the anchored VMRC boat and state your boat's name and flag number. When instructed by the VMRC staff, you will deploy your approved contribution in clear view of the VMRC staff. Boats are free to drop waypoints to mark the new reef material as it goes down.
Weather and other cancellations
If weather conditions are unfavorable for the event (a small craft advisory is issued by NOAA or another concern), we will reschedule for another day and notify anglers via email, the VSSA webpage, and Facebook. We hope that anglers can make their contribution in the morning and then go out to enjoy a day of fishing on that Saturday.
