BOTANY BAY TO RECEIVE BIGGER ARTIFICIAL REEFS

NSW Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan recently announced that Botany Bay is to receive an expanded artificial reef.

Six small reefs, made up of 180 reef balls, were deployed on the ocean floor at Botany Bay in 2006, as part of a three-year pilot program funded by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts.

“Artificial reefs have been used extensively around the world to create fish habitat, regenerate damaged ecosystems and to enhance the fishing experience for recreational fishers,” Minister Whan said.

The project, which will be completed in two stages, will see the expanded reef spread over 2000m², occupying approximately 450m² of seabed and a volume of approximately 350m³, in a water depth of from 6-15m.

“This project has been subject to scientific monitoring by Industry & Investment staff since installation, to ascertain its effectiveness and monitor ecological impacts,” Minister Whan said.

Member for Maroubra, Michael Daley, welcomed the project for recreational fishers and the environmental benefits it brings to the area.

“Ongoing research has shown artificial reefs are very successful at attracting a number of different species of fish and habitat for aquatic life, including yellow fin bream, snapper, tarwhine and flathead,” Daley said.

“The site is also easily accessible to both paddle and powercraft, and will enable all recreational users to take advantage of this great project,” he added.

Visit www.industry.nsw.gov.au for more information about artificial reefs.