Artificial reefs

Artificial reefs

According to Wikipedia, an artificial reef is a man-made, underwater structure, typically built for the purpose of promoting marine life in areas of generally featureless bottom. "man made" reefs may also serve to improve hydrodynamics for surfing or to control beach erosion.

These structures can be built in a number of different methods. Many are built by deploying existing materials in order to create a fish habitat. This can be done by sinking oil rigs (through the Rigs-to-Reefs program), scuttling ships, or by deploying rubble, tires, or construction debris. Others are purpose built (e.g. the reef balls) from PVC and/or concrete. Historic or modern shipwrecks become unintended reefs when preserved on the sea floor. Regardless of construction method, "man made" reefs are generally designed to provide hard surfaces to which algae and invertebrates such as barnacles, corals, and oysters attach; the accumulation of attached marine life in turn provides intricate structure and food for assemblages of fish.

Artificial surfing reefs have been created for surfing, coastal protection, habitat enhancement and coastal research.

• Objectives of the project
• Location maps and coordinates
• Reef Ball Technology

The NSW Department of Primary Industries is undertaking a pilot project to investigate the benefits of these havens as a fisheries enhancement tool in Recreational Fishing Havens (RFH) along the NSW coast. A series of small reefs are being deployed in identified barren areas in three RFHs.

The Department has worked closely with recreational fishers and estuarine user groups to establish suitable sites that will minimise social and environmental impacts. Before the reefs are deployed, a number of approvals are required from various Management Authorities. The reef balls will be monitored before and after deployment using a combination of research methods including baited underwater videos, diver surveys and angler catch information.

This is part of a five-year fisheries enhancement program funded by the Recreational Fishing Trust and managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

Objectives of the project

* Identify suitable sites for the construction of reefs in South Coast estuaries that have been declared Recreational Fishing Havens namely St. Georges Basin.
* Construct variable reef configurations to establish best-suited designs for NSW estuaries to optimise effectiveness and minimise cost.
* Scientific research into reef related topics.
* Inform the recreational fishing community about the effectiveness and contribution of artificial reefs in improving recreational fishing in each estuary.
* Establish guidelines for the consideration of any future artificial reef proposals in NSW estuarine and coastal waters.

Location maps and coordinates

* Lake Conjola The reef is constructed of 400 "Reef Balls" and covers an area of approximately 1600m2. Refer Map co-ordinate http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=118405209348378586904.00045d2c883bf42b43ab2&ll=-35.260797,150.472148&spn=0.006159,0.009656&z=17
* Merimbula Lake NSW DPI's fifth artificial reef. consists of 400 specially designed Reef Balls and occupies an area of approximately 1600 m2. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/saltwater/artificial-reefs/merimbula-lake
* St Georges Basin http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=au&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=118405209348378586904.00045e209dd191b1cbd05

‘Reef Ball’ technology

The St Georges Basin artificial reefs are being constructed using existing ‘Reef Ball’ technology. Reef balls are individual reef modules cast from a single mould. The Reef Ball modules are a patented mold supplied by the Reef Ball Development Group and are made from a special mix of concrete that enhances marine growth while withstanding saltwater corrosion.

The Department is using ‘Mini-Bay Reef Balls’, which when placed together on the bottom in varying numbers, form small reefs of different sizes (see dimensions below). The individual reef ball modules create habitat for marine fish, algae and crustaceans and can be deployed, moved or retrieved if necessary.

Reefs Balls have been used extensively around the world for a number of applications including natural reef enhancement, reef restoration, coastal stabilisation and fishing related development. Evidence to date suggests that Reef Balls can reach 80% or more of the natural species diversity and population densities of nearby natural reef systems within just a few years. Over 500,000 Reef Balls have been deployed worldwide in over 3,200 projects. More information on Reef Balls can be obtained from the Reef Ball Australia (www.reefballaustralia.com.au).

LAKE CONJOLA
NSW Recreational fishers will get their 4th reef, the latest reef being installed in Lake Conjola, three hours from Sydney on the NSW south coast.

Man made reefs have already been installed in St Georges Basin, Botany Bay and Lake Macquarie, with other potential locations currently under investigation, including Merimbula Lake.
The reef will create valuable habitat for a variety of fish species in this popular recreational fishing spot" according to the Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald.
“NSW DPI deploys these man-made reefs in areas that are lacking in reef habitat. The reefs provide a place for fish to live and shelter, and potentially redirect fishing effort from more traditional fishing areas.
“Previous DPI studies have shown that the reefs attract a large variety of popular recreational fish species such as flathead, bream, tarwhine, snapper, leatherjacket and whiting.
“We are expecting similar results at Lake Conjola.”
, said the Minister.
The Lake Conjola reef will be made up of 400 concrete modules known as ‘Reef Balls’, which can be moved, or removed, if necessary.
“This is the first NSW DPI artificial reef that will use three different sized Reef Balls which is expected to create a reef of increased complexity,” Mr Macdonald said.
Reef Balls are made using a special mix of concrete that allows algae to grow quickly, creating ideal marine habitat for fish and invertebrates.
This project has received strong support from Shoalhaven City Council. DPI has also worked closely with community groups, researchers, fishing clubs and other regulatory bodies to ensure the reef is in the ideal location to maximise its effectiveness.
Monitoring will assess the effectiveness of the reefs. The project will play a vital role in providing information about the benefits of man-made reefs as a fisheries enhancement tool.

Merimbula Lake

St Georges Basin

Glossary of Terms:

artificial coral reef, artificial marine reefs, artificial reef locations, artificial reef sites, artificial reef society, fishing artificial reefs, how to build artificial reef

Dear FADs List,

The Wollongong and Kiama FADs have been deployed in their usual locations:
We have had a report that the Wooli and South West Rocks FADs are not at their usual locations. DPI is still investigating, and we cannot confirm this, but anglers should bear this information in mind when planning their next trip. We will update via email when more information is known.

Regards,

DPI FADs Team

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
NSW DPI - FISH AGGREGATING DEVICES (FADs)

Funded by the Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust
'YOUR FISHING LICENCE FEE AT WORK'

For information about the program and to obtain FAD GPS coordinates, please visit the FADs webpage at:
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/saltwater/fads