NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson and Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay have announced an offshore artificial reef at Port Botany would be named in honour of the late John Dunphy – a national fishing industry giant.
“The NSW Government is extremely proud to be able to provide a small token to pay our respect to the many achievements and legacy of Mr Dunphy,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“The proposed Port Botany reef, to become a recreational fishing hotspot, will act as a timeless tribute to John and his unprecedented dedication to the fishing world.
“John was a leading figure of recreational fishing – he ran a highly successful tackle business and was a long standing president of the Australian Fishing Trade Association.
“A passionate fisher himself, John was also a member of the Advisory Council on Recreational Fishing where he generously offered his time to provide marine advice to NSW Governments.”
“John was a pioneer and a visionary who single-handedly shaped the course of the fishing tackle industry in Australia,” Mr Gay said.
“Amongst his many achievements, one for which John is most well-known is establishing and building up the ‘Shimano’ name to become a market leader in Australia and New Zealand.
“Honouring John’s memory by naming a reef in the recreational fishing haven of Botany Bay will ensure his memory and outstanding contribution to this great sport lives on for many years to come.
“The reef will be funded through the Port Botany Boating and Fishing Infrastructure Program and will further increase its appeal to fisher’s around the state.
“I have no doubt John would have cast many lines in the Port Botany area – particularly using an innovative baitrunner, or free-spool threadline reel, which he designed himself.
“John will be sorely missed by the fishing community, which will never be the same without him.”
South Sydney Amateur Fishing Club President Stan Konstantaras says local anglers “would be proud to have a reef named after John Dunphy who was also a big supporter of ANSA NSW and the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW”.
Konstantaras also says local anglers have negotiated with Government for many years to get the $5 million to build the reefs as part of the Infrastructure project and also the building of a new fishing platform at Port Botany and a new boat ramp within Botany Bay.
Ms Hodgkinson and Mr Gay said the exact locations of proposed reefs for the area are currently being determined and public consultation will start in the coming months, providing fishers the opportunity to have their say.
