CONSTRUCTION on the first offshore artificial reef to be installed in NSW begins in the next few weeks.
A contract for the artificial reef was awarded to a Sydney-based company that specialises in major maritime infrastructure projects.
“This purpose-built offshore reef will be the first and largest artificial reef structure to be designed and constructed in Australia,” said Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson.
“We expect the artificial reef will not only attract fish species such as snapper and yellowtail kingfish but avid fishers from near and far.
“This is the first of the three offshore artificial reefs planned for NSW over the next five years and is expected to vastly improve recreational fishing opportunities off the coast of Sydney,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
The reef is expected to be completed prior to Christmas and will be located approximately 1.2 kilometres off The Gap at Vaucluse and 1.9 kilometres off South Head.
Waterway Constructions Pty Ltd, in a joint venture with Haejoo Pty Ltd, was selected as the tenderers for the construction of the reef. A detailed design of the reef has been completed by Worley Parsons.
The reef’s construction will be funded by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust, which is directly fed by recreational fishing licence fees.
For more information on the offshore artificial reefs visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries
