June 2011 the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife requested SMZ status for five permitted artificial reef in the Exclusive Economic Zone under Amendment 9 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Fisheries Management Plan.

Justification based on need to ameliorate gear conflicts on DE EEZ reefs between fishermen using hook and line gear and fixed pot/trap gear.

DE DFW faced with loss of funding for its reef program under Wallops-Breaux Sport Fish Restoration Program.

Precident has already been set for this in five other East Coast States. The only restrictions will be on fixed gear (pots).