SYDNEY’S fishos are set to benefit from a new artificial reef installation offshore of the city.
The Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, announced this week the NSW
Government will begin construction of its first offshore artificial reef to be located off the
coast. Construction of the reef is expected to begin later this year.
“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,” Katrina 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 $900,000 reef is earmarked for location approximately 1.2km off The Gap at Vaucluse and 1.9km off South Head. Whether the reef installation signifies the torpedoing of a proposed Sydney Marine Park is yet to be revealed.
Funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust will be used to construct the offshore
artificial reefs. Each reef unit is made of steel, stands 12 metres high and weighs approximately 42 tonnes. The completed reef will be deployed at a water depth of 38 metres and is expected to provide habitat for a wide range of bottom-dwelling and
oceanic fish species such as snapper and yellowtail kingfish.
For more information on the offshore artificial reefs visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries