Site called Charlie’s wreck created especially for fishermen
The Nature Foundation created St. Maarten’s newest artificial reef over the weekend when it sank a 47 ft. former sailing vessel in approximately 170 feet of water.
The new site, which was named Charlie’s Wreck after Charles Bernard Peterson, a fisherman from the village of Simpson Bay who was instrumental in assisting the Nature Foundation in sinking the vessel, was specifically created for fishing. The vessel lies four miles outside of Simpson Bay on the edge of the so-called "drop-off".
The Nature Foundation initiated the project after hearing concerns from the fishing community that some fishing grounds were lost after the creation of the Man of War Shoal Marine Park, the Islands first National Park and only protected nature area. It is prohibited to fish or harm any animal within the Man of War Shoal Marine Park and fishing within the area can result in legal penalties. It was therefore decided to give back to the fishing community by looking at ways to create a site which will cause fish to gather and thus enable fishermen to sustainably practice fishing. After consultations with representatives of the fishing community it was decided that a vessel should be cleaned and sunk in order to create a habitat for fish to congregate on. Polypat Boatyard manager Fred Wojcik donated a 47ft. former sailing vessel and assisted with the thorough cleaning and transportation of the vessel. Commercial Dive and Salvage Company Aquatic Solutions assisted in towing the vessel and Mr. Paul Ellinger and Charles Bernard Peterson assisted with sinking the vessel on the proper location. Also on Board the Nature Foundation Patrol Vessel Yellowtail were children from the Nature Foundation Snorkel Club, who were given first hand information on why artificial reefs are created and the tradition of fishing on St. Maarten.
"It is a common misconception in the community that the Nature Foundation is anti-fishing or anti-fishermen. Fishermen are one of the primary stakeholders to our marine resources and need to be taken into consideration when it comes to marine resource management. The creation of the Marine Park made it necessary to restrict areas from being allowed to fish on. This was necessary not only to allow for fish to be able to reproduce within the park without the risk of being caught, but also to allow the animals to repopulate some of the traditional fishing grounds surrounding St. Maarten. We sank the vessel downstream from the Marine Park specifically so that it can attract fish which are commercially important and we should start to see a healthy population of commercial species within three to four weeks," read a statement from the Nature Foundation.
The Nature Foundation is also cooperating with the Department of Maritime Affairs and the St. Maarten Harbor Holding Company on a wreck removal project which will seek to remove wrecks from the Simpson Bay Lagoon. These wrecks will also be sunk as artificial reefs and will serve as both fishing areas and as new dive locations. Owners of wrecked vessels are urged to contact the Nature Foundation at 5444267 as soon as possible to avoid their vessel being turned into an artificial reef. Fishermen interested in the coordinates of the recently sunk vessel can contact the Nature Foundation during office hours on 5444267 or on 5263509 outside of office hours.