The Army Corps of Engineers is performing routine dredging at the mouth of the Shark River Inlet, a project manager confirmed. 

Edward Wrocenski, who is managing the dredging project, explained that due to shoaling issues between the jetties separating Avon-by-the-Sea and Belmar, pumping is required to keep the inlet open to marine traffic.

"The sand gets trapped there," Wrocenski explained, noting that the channel will eventually be deepened to 18 feet.

The dredge ship Currituck, which has previously been doing similar work on the Manasquan Inlet, arrived Saturday night. The project is expected to last 10 or 11 days.