Artifical reefs for Moreton Bay

[castlemaine]

Just out of interest..... How long would it take after the creating of an artificial reef, for it to be a viable fishing location?

A mate and I fished a few days after a spot described by Maritime Safety as a collapsed channel marker and got 7 good squire one day and 5 another but as soon as they removed and replaced the fallen marker the area was barren.

So by that, my reckoning it doesn't take much time to populate an 'arti' in Moreton Bay.

Cheers

[CreelReaper]

Isn't it nice to know that we ausfishers are a thinking mob.....Some awesome thoughts guys and girls. I totally agree, a number of 'arteficials' are needed and have always been a viable idea. Look at Narrowneck down on the goldie..... Cowen over near Moreton and harries to name a few. I don't think it really matters what material is used. (with a few obvious exceptions)
The whole idea of a reef is to support an ecological system from the smallest organism which in turn draws planktin and small creatures to the predators we like to catch. Some materials will 'reef' up a lot quicker and some will do a bit of initial damage in the short term. Even in barren areas that currently don't hold fish will eventually flourish and be productive. I do think however that whatever is done needs to be controlled and sustainable for all concerned.
It was argued some time ago that fish farms located in the bay would in fact enhance an areas ability to regrowth.....
Whatever the material though I do not agree that there needs copious amounts of funding to research it. There is a whole world out there that has created arteficials and therefore enough data available. Why spend $1m on research when that money can in turn be made into a reef somewhere.

Cheers

[Steven78]

Old shopping carts would be the go. As i think a shopping trolley is fare game when left in the street.

[Horse]

There are a couple of big questions to be answered

1. Are we looking at isolated structures that will hold baitfish and transient predators (FAD) or a structure that suoppors a self sustaining ecosystem (these are more complex reef structures)

2. Do we want a small number of large structures or several small sites around the area the bay.

3. Do we use the stocking group model where hard working volunteers do the hard yards and the State Gov manages the overall process and contributes to materials and deployment. We will get at least some bang for our buck this way

As for materials it would seem that the Reef Ball system has a lot of support. The electronic aggregation of calcium sounds great but I'm not sure how effective it is. Normal concrete can have a short lifespan in saltwater and has a very high PH level for the first year or so.

We probably need to start the political ball moving so that these structures are in as soon as possible

Cheers

Neil

[tunaticer]

I would think that the average family man with a 12' tinny should be able to access arties if the EPA is going to take away access to natural reefs within reach of small boats.
I would like to see a dotted line of smaller reefs near the boundaries of the trawler no go zones in the northern bay and have them spaced apart about 1 or 2 km each. The water would most likely need to be about 5-6m deep to avoid being a navigational hazzard.
There are already several larger arties that are easily within reach of larger boats in the bay but none suitable for smaller craft. I think there are probably as many smaller craft as ones large enough to safely reach the Curtin Arti.

I think there are several areas in Bramble bay that could also have reo-mesh racks installed as shallow water arties as well.

Jack.

[DR]

here is a group that has been at it for a while in the US, might be worth an email for few ideas.
http://www.ocreeffoundation.com/about.php

more stuff..
http://www.artificialreefs.org/

some good pics here..
http://www.artificialreefs.org/Photogallery/gallery.htm

[webby]

I'll believe it when it happens, so wouldnt hold your breath.
regards

[viking08]

Cheers Oh Gee

Being a bundy boy I have seen the effect that a local fishing club, government and state government can produce. The Cochrane Arti reef has been developed over many years with extensive success, (comon Royans' I know you r out there)
The essence is the collaboration of local communities (programs, etc),local and state governments for funding; as we all could appreciate the production and/or recycling of "environmentally stable" structures is expensive. However the Cochrane arti reef is a prime example of artificial trophy fish holding structure (ATFHS) that can be produced with all sides collaborated.

Mick

[skippa]

I'll believe it when it happens, so wouldnt hold your breath.
regards

Yep your probably right Brian, but I guess there has to be a first time, who knows it just might be our turn instead of copping fully up the rear end .

Time will tell too.

As some one said earlier the Northern bay could support 4 arties. I would like to see a couple down in the southern bay too ( like from Wello point south ) this would help the guys with smaller boats unable to access the more open parts of the bay.

I wonder how many 'unoffical' arties are already in the bay ....


Cheers,
Tony

[Lucky_Phill]

Thanks for the responses so far.

From reading suggested info it appears that the materials used for arti's has been well researched and the AR's with said materials are producing the desired results.

IMO< Moreton Bay AR's should be considered in two ways.

Firstly, the Artificial Reef, being a fully developed marine habitat

and secondly, the FAD, being a fish attracting device.

The AR needs to be in place to sustain the natural habitat development from the lowest organic form to the apex predator. The numbers and sizes of these should be a mirror image of the area of mangrove and habitat destruction that has taken place over the last " xyz " years. The AR's will not be an overnight success, but will be in place to eventually replicate a natural habitat, if that is possible.

Another question that has popped up is should these AR's be exposed to " seasonal " closures. An example is :- 10 artis completed and 5 are " closed " for 12 months, then swap, as this would assist in two ways, firstly to alleviate human pressure on a new AR and secondly allow studies by the DPI&F to evaluate the success and development progress of said AR's. These studies should take into account every aspect of the specific habitat, from algae, crustations, corals, weed/ ferns, fish, shellfish, molluscs etc etc etc. The ' spillover ' effect can also be gauged to an exact science, as the " AR habitat ' can be logged pre- development.

I think contact with arti groups now is important and then a submission made by a group like SOBA inc ( Save Our Bay association incorporated )or MBAA ( Moreton Bay Access Alliance ) to the Minister for consideration be undertaken asap.

Phill

[Rainbowrunner]

About 4-5 nautical miles due east of woody point thanks

[TimiBoy]

Damn, I had a car, and a few old computers that would have done the job quite well!