Recreational fishers across the Bega Valley will soon be able to cast a line into the South Coast’s first artificial reef. The first of two reef structures has been positioned 1.6km south of Long Point, Merimbula in 32m of water.
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Member for Bega, Andrew Constance said it was a huge win for the local community and would provide a significant boost to local tourism.
“I have worked closely with our recreational fishing community to see this reef delivered and I can’t wait to get out on the boat and cast a line with them,” Mr Constance said.
“With this reef and another still to come in the Eurobodalla we are ensuring that the South Coast is a premier fishing destination.
“This is a win for locals and tourists alike and I encourage everyone to get some tackle and get out on our amazing waters.”
The positioning of the reef structures has been welcomed by the Merimbula Big Game & Lakes Angling Club which was instrumental in getting the reef through its submission to the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust.
Chris Young of the Merimbula Big Game & Lakes Angling Club said club’s committee was “ecstatic” over the arrival of the $1.1 million piece of infrastructure which has been funded from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust, following extensive advocacy from the club.
“Recreational anglers in modest vessels from Merimbula and Pambula will be able to access the reef structures. It will attract tourists and be important to the local economy,” Mr Young said.
The artificial reef consists of two very large 'pinnacle' style reef units that have been specially designed for the Merimbula region.
Each unit weighs up to 90 tonnes and stands 12 metres high and is designed to withstand very large coastal storms while providing excellent habitat for a wide range of fish species common to the region.
“The assembly of the artificial reef 'towers' was undertaken locally in Eden bringing more dollars back into the region,” Mr Constance said.
“NSW currently has four other offshore artificial reefs installed – in Sydney, Port Macquarie, Shoalhaven Heads and Sydney’s South Head – Merimbula reef is the state’s fifth.
“They’ve been extremely effective in creating productive fish habitats that attract a diverse range of species and we expect the fish community will rapidly develop on the new reef for people to test them out for themselves.”
Deployment of the artificial reef towers uses a specialised marine subsea construction technique that has been adopted from the oil and gas industry.
Large cylinders built into the modules are partially filled with air to allow the 90 tonne structures to be 'floated' then towed to the artificial reef site where they are individually 'sunk' at their final position on the seafloor.
