DNREC Closes Seaford Fishing Pier Over Safety Concerns

Sussex County, DE - The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has closed the Seaford Fishing Pier after an engineering assessment found structural problems. The pier sits within the Seaford boat ramp fishing access area on the Nanticoke River.

DNREC's Division of Fish and Wildlife conducted the assessment this week. The pier predates the 1997 upgrades made to the Seaford boat ramp.

The assessment found several issues with the pier. These include deteriorating support piles and a sinkhole forming near a failing bulkhead.

Because of these findings, DNREC closed the pier to anglers and the public. Officials say the closure is meant to keep people safe while a long term plan is worked out.

DNREC Fisheries Section Administrator Jordan Zimmerman said the decision was made out of caution. He said the Division of Fish and Wildlife is "working with the engineering firm to develop options either for remediation of the pier or replacing it with a new pier."

The Seaford boat ramp and parking lot will stay open. DNREC manages both in partnership with the City of Seaford, and neither is affected by the pier closure.

Anglers who normally fish from the pier are being directed to the smaller public fishing pier at River View Park. That pier sits right next to the Seaford boat ramp.
DNREC has placed signage at the closed pier to help guide anglers to the alternative fishing spot at River View Park.

Photo Courtesy of Delaware DNREC