VICTORIA’S fishos are set to reap the benefits of a $1 million oceanic reef structure off
the coast of Anglesea and Torquay, the first offshore reef in the state.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said the exciting development for
recreational fishers was being funded by licence revenue and would encourage marine life and improve fishing opportunities.
“This is a fantastic example of recreational fishing licence revenue being put straight back into projects that improve fishing in Victorian waters,” Walsh said.
“This large reef structure, to be deployed in about two years’ time, will provide great sports
fishing opportunities for species such as yellowtail kingfish, morwong and snapper.”
Another eight recreational fishing reefs, in addition to three already deployed in
Port Phillip Bay, would be constructed over the next four years using $900,000 from the
government’s Recreational Fishing Initiative. Locations such as Gippsland Lakes, Western
Port and Port Phillip Bay are being assessed.
The environmentally-friendly reefs are made of specially designed concrete domes with
openings in the top and side to allow easy access for fish. The existing reefs, named Rec,
Yakka and Tedesco, are in the south east corner of Port Phillip Bay in 11 metres of water
about two kilometres off the shoreline.
“A three-year scientific monitoring trial of the existing reefs showed they had been
successfully colonised by a diverse range of marine plants and animals,” Walsh said.
Land-based anglers will also be catered for with three pier-based reefs currently being
planned for Port Phillip Bay, using $400,000 of recreational fishing licence revenue. The reefs will reportedly be in casting distance from the Portarlington, Altona and Frankston piers.
The Department of Primary Industries has released a policy statement which will guide the
deployment and management of recreational fishing reefs over the next three years. For a copy, contact DPI on 136 186 or email recfish.improvements@dpi.vic.gov.au
