New Artificial Reefs Planned for Moreton Bay

The Queensland Government has allocated $1million towards research, planning and construction of new artificial reefs in Moreton Bay.

Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said the reefs are part of the State Government’s longterm strategy to ensure the resilience and longevity of one of the world’s great marine environments.

Mr McNamara said the artificial reef research project will run parallel with the re-zoning of the Moreton Bay Marine Park, currently the subject of extensive community consultation.

“The purpose of the Marine Park Re-zoning is to balance the needs of marine park users with the need to preserve the internationally significant waterway for future generations,” Mr McNamara said.

“Moreton Bay Marine Park is vital to our social, economic and cultural lifestyles, and supports recreational and commercial activities such as fishing, boating and tourism.

“The artificial reefs will provide alternate sites to recreational fishers, following the re-zoning of sections of the Marine Park as Green Zones, which preclude fishing but allow diving and boating.

“Discussions I’ve had with recreational fishers have welcomed the State Government allocation of funding for the artificial reefs.

Dr Evan Jones, Conservation Officer for the Queensland Gamefishing Association, welcomed the decision, and said his organisation was very keen to work with the Government on the project.

“This is an exciting new project for the recreational fishing sector, and it is very good to be involved from day one of the planning,” Dr Jones said.

“I hope we can work with other research and fishing organisations as well as the corporate sector to grow the project well beyond the $1 million funding the Government has provided.

“Well designed artificial reefs with careful placement can help restore and replenish areas in and around Moreton Bay, and help enhance fishing and recreational experiences on the Bay.

“They are a positive move to deal with any displacement of recreation fishing that might occur in the Moreton Bay Marine Park re-zoning, and we congratulate the Minister and the Government on their support for the project.”

Mr McNamara said the EPA had appointed a project officer to work with the recreational fishing sector to come up with the best design and placement for artificial reefs in the Moreton Bay region.

“Artificial reefs in the past have consisted largely of white goods, car bodies and tyres, but this is no longer considered best practice,” Mr McNamara said.

“The science of purpose-built artificial reefs is quite advanced now, and we will be looking to use the best possible material and formations to attract marine life and provide enhanced opportunities for recreational fishers.

“Considerable success has been realised using concrete, some of which has been formed specifically for the purpose.

“A focus of the research and planning will be to establish reefs in Bay areas which used to host coral reefs, but were destroyed by dredging to obtain lime for the production of concrete.

“So, ironically, the construction of a concrete-based artificial reef would see the return of lime to the Bay many decades after it was removed.”

Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004