SA New Trial Artificial Reef Project

About

The Yorke Peninsula, northwestern Gulf St Vincent, has been chosen as the location of South Australia’s new artificial reef trial - find all the details here.

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Tell us which is your preferred location for South Australia’s first new trial artificial reef project.

What is being decided?

Three locations have been short-listed for a new artificial reef off the SA Coastline that will enhance recreational fishing opportunities in the state. Artificial reefs are popular with recreational fishers and have been used globally to restore lost habitats. This restoration works hand-in-hand with fisheries management and marine parks, ensuring our ocean is healthy, well managed and offers great fishing opportunities for the future.

The SA New Trial Artificial Reef Project Options Paper (PDF, 3MB) sets out the three proposed locations and designs for South Australia’s first trial artificial reef project for recreational fishers in SA

The project is part of the State Government’s $3.25 million support package to boost recreational fishing and tourism opportunities in areas possibly affected by marine parks. For more background information about the project, click here (PDF, 2.4MB).

The three proposed locations are:

Option A
Southern Metropolitan Adelaide
A number of options near Encounter Marine Park including Hallett Cove, O’Sullivans Beach, Seaford and Moana.

Option B
North Western Gulf St. Vincent
Between Ardrossan and Stansbury

Option C
North Eastern Gulf St. Vincent
West to southwest of Port Wakefield

More detailed information about the Reef Design can be found in the Background tab.

To choose your preferred location and give your feedback, please fill out the feedback form and join the online discussion.

Community meeting opportunities

Everyone is welcome to attend our public meetings to hear about the proposed locations, reef designs and further information about the project.

Ardrossan Town Hall
Corner of First and Fourth Streets, Ardrossan
Tuesday 8 December, 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Port Noarlunga Surf Life Saving Club
Saltfleet Street & Esplanade, Port Noarlunga
Wednesday 9 December, 7.00pm - 8.30pm

How can your input influence the decision?

We want you to tell us which option you'd like to see happen - your feedback and input will help shape the Government's decision on the final location of the first trial artificial reef in South Australia. To choose your preferred location, you can fill in the feedback form and you can also join the online conversation.

All submissions will be considered and a decision on the final location will be decided in early 2016.

Want to know more?

If you have any questions, give us a call on 08 8226 0900 or email us at reefhabitatSA@sa.gov.au. You can also connect with us on Twitter @SA_PIRSA and join the conversation using the #reefhabitatSA hashtag.

Background

Tell us you preferred location here.

Download the SA New Trial Artificial Reef Project Options Paper (PDF, 3MB) and Background Paper (PDF, 2.5MB).

The State Government supports a best practice approach to the artificial restoration and implementation of reefs that enhance fish habitat.

Reef Design

A three-dimensional segmented reef structure will be built using a combination of high and low profile substrate, laid in rows creating a ridge formation, much like an agricultural field when sown. Substrate types will be loosely and tightly aggregated to create complexity, reflecting a ‘broken bottom habitat’. This substrate will be interspersed with a low profile structure, ‘seeded’ (attached) with spat and adult native shellfish species will be attached.

Substrate could include a combination of:

• 'Reef balls’ or purpose built concrete
• Large and small limestone rubble
• Shell (oyster, scallop or razorfish shell)

Location Options

Option A
Southern Metropolitan Adelaide 
A number of options near Encounter Marine Park including Hallett Cove, O’Sullivans Beach, Seaford and Moana

Option B
North Western Gulf St. Vincent 
Between Ardrossan and Stansbury

Option C
North Eastern Gulf St. Vincent 
West to southwest of Port Wakefield

All options will involve the reef being located in approximately 5m to 10m depth of water.

These locations were informed by consultation in May 2015 and are based on the recommendations of the recreational fishing and broader community.

STAGES OF REEF DEVELOPMENT OVER TIME

Figure above: 1. A range of substrates, some ‘seeded’ with juvenile native oysters, known as spat, will be deployed. 2. Spat grows and develops into larger oysters, with the reef beginning to attract a range of marine species associated with large numbers of shellfish. 3. Grown oysters then spawn, increasing the shellfish population on the reef. 4. The diversity and number of species associated with the reef grows, building a diverse, productive and healthy marine habitat for the future.