Sea creatures take sunken ship over
By Mary Landers| Morris News Service
Wednesday, January 23, 2008

SAVANNAH, Ga. --- A ship that once helped researchers learn about sea creatures has become a home to those same animals.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources sank the R/V Jane Yarn off the Georgia coast as an artificial reef in late August. It rests under 72 feet of water on a sandy-bottomed area called J Reef, outside Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary.

On a recent dive, sanctuary researchers were surprised to find hoards of fish had already moved in. Four barracudas, with their fierce underbites, call it home. Schools of amber jack and spadefish swarm past the port holes. Black sea bass, grunts and cigar minnows also visit.

Fish can't resist the Jane Yarn, which offers the only shelter in the neighborhood, said Greg McFall, the sanctuary's research coordinator.

"It's like finding a condo out in the desert," Mr. McFall said.

So they moved in fast.

"It was a surprise to see how quickly they colonized the wreck," he said. "To reach the capacity they already have, I thought it would take the better part of a year."

The 63-foot ship was named for Jane Hurt Yarn, a Georgia conservationist who helped convince President Carter to designate Gray's Reef, to the east of St. Catherines Island, a sanctuary.

Danny Gleason, a biologist and Georgia Southern University researcher, said he plans to study the succession of animals on the ship, possibly by scraping off patches of barnacles and monitoring what grows back.

Reader Comments
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Augusta Chronicle. Please read our full comments policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the icon.
Your display name is (change display name)
YOUR MESSAGE:
You have 1200 characters left.


advertisement

advertisement

TopJobs


Augusta-area Top Jobs
Trades HVAC Sheet Metal Mechanics and Subcontractors Needed for insulation & installation of duct work in commercial retail. Excellent wages, 40+hrs | wk. Warehouse | CDL Driver with Class A airbra... (more)
Education Speech Language Pathologist needed Burke County School System is hiring a SLP. Signing bonus and additional annual supplement offered. Degree and appropriate certification required. Contac... (more)
Building | Demolition Labor Bulldozer & Back Hoe $500+ | wk Call (706) 868-6800 to run heavy equipment to maintain landfills. Pro Resources $185 J#218. Always PERMANENT Full Time + Great Benefits (more)
Athens Top Jobs
DIRECT SUPPORT TECHNICIANS To provide supervision, direct care, and | or activities planning for individuals with developmental disabilities. Begin at $8.00 per hour. Part-time evening and weekend hours... (more)


© 2008 The Augusta Chronicle|Terms of Service|Help|Contact Us|Subscribe|Local business listings


shopping & services

What:
Where:



advertisement