22 April 2021
- New artificial reef installed seven kilometres offshore from Ocean Reef in $1 million North Metropolitan Artificial Reef project
- Reef will create unique recreational fishing experiences
Western Australia’s seventh purpose-built artificial reef is being installed off Ocean Reef this week to create unique, safe and easily accessible recreational fishing experiences along the metropolitan coastline.
The new $1 million Northern Metropolitan Artificial Reef will be located approximately seven kilometres offshore from the Ocean Reef Marina at a depth of 27 metres and spanning an area of 150,000 square metres.
Over the next week, 292 concrete modules ranging from 70 centimetres to 1.8 metres high will be loaded onto a barge in Fremantle, transported to the reef location and placed in position on the ocean floor by local manufacturer Subcon Blue Solutions.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will monitor the development of the reef using remote underwater video and dive inspections of the reef.
The State Government worked closely with Recfishwest to select the Ocean Reef location, which will maximise benefits for local users and attract visitors to the area.
The new artificial reef was funded through the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund, which reinvests recreational fishing licence fees into projects that benefit recreational fishers across Western Australia.
Additional artificial reefs are also located off Dunsborough, Bunbury, Mandurah, south of Rottnest Island, Esperance and in the Exmouth Gulf.
Consultation and planning is also underway for a new artificial reef off Albany, one of three new artificial reefs to be built as part of the State Government’s $6 million package to support the recreation fishing industry through the WA Recovery Plan.
Comments attributed to Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
“It is fantastic to see the Ocean Reef artificial reef taking shape this week and creating an enjoyable recreational fishing and diving hotspot off our northern suburbs coastline.
“Artificial reefs are a great way to enhance recreational fishing by provide safe and easily accessible fishing locations for species such as yellowtail kingfish, Samson fish, silver trevally and pink snapper.
“The project has also supported WA jobs, including through the reef’s design in Henderson, the pouring of the concrete modules in Jandakot and the boost to local northern suburbs businesses from visitors keen to experience the new reef once complete.”
Comments attributed to Joondalup MLA Emily Hamilton:
“As a fisher and diver, I’m looking forward to the installation of this reef off the coast of Ocean Reef.
“Locals enjoy interacting with our coastline and this new artificial reef will become another location for recreational fishers to enjoy.”
Media contact: Alex Hamilton 0408 173 745