$900,000 artificial reef for Sydney

NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, announced today that an offshore artificial reef will be constructed later this year off the coast of Sydney.

“For local fishermen this is an exciting project. I am sure the area will be a popular destination once the reef is deployed and the fish move in,” Hodgkinson said.

“This is the first of the three offshore artificial reefs planned for NSW over the next five years and is expected to greatly improve recreational fishing opportunities off the coast of Sydney.

“The tender process for the construction and deployment of the artificial reef units is currently underway.

“The $900,000 reef will be located approximately 1.2km off The Gap at Vaucluse and 1.9km off South Head.

“Each artificial reef unit is made of steel, stands 12m high and weighs approximately 42 tonnes, and is designed to provide a highly complex habitat for a range of marine species.

“The reef will be deployed at a water depth of 38m and will create a high quality reef for recreational fishing, while providing habitat for a wide range of bottom-dwelling and oceanic fish species such as snapper and yellowtail kingfish.

“Scientists from NSW Department of Primary Industries will monitor the Sydney reef for three years using diver surveys and advanced underwater video technology to assess the impacts and effectiveness of the reefs.

For more information visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries.