Gov. Cuomo unveils plan to enhance reefs off Long Island

<p>The plan will give fishermen more places to catch fish and help increase the amount they get.</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 17, 2018, 6:53 PM

Updated 2,200 days ago

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a plan to expand artificial reefs off Long Island using material from the old Tappan Zee Bridge.
Captain Charlie Buser has been fishing off the shores of Long Island in his boat the Captree Star for 34 years. Buser says the governor's plan to enhance the reefs will help anglers reel fish in.
"I'm shocked at hearing this and I think it's fantastic," says Buser.
The reef plan calls for barges full of material from the demolished Tappan Zee Bridge and decommissioned boats to be dumped onto six underwater reefs off Long Island's coastline. The goal is to create more habitats that will attract more fish.
"This is just a win-win across the board," says Cuomo. "It helps the commercial fishing industry and the charter captains who have been suffering."
The Department of Environmental Conservation will oversee the four-month project. DEC officials say everything that's dropped into the water will be safe.


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