Bill Turner Artificial Reef @ Scarborough

[Lucky_Phill]

New Moreton Bay Artificial Reef

Recreational fishers will have a new place to drop their lines, with the creation of the former LNP Government commissioned 20 hectare Turner artificial reef off Scarborough in the Moreton Bay Marine Park.

The reef is being built at Scarborough about 1km offshore and will attract fishers and divers from throughout the region.
The project was an important part of the LNP Government’s plan to establish more artificial reefs in the Moreton Bay Marine Park.
“The LNP Government has delivered on sustainable recreational fishing by taking pressure off existing natural reefs, creating more reefs in the Bay and helping replenish our fish stocks,”
Dr Robinson said the addition to the artificial reef was good for the marine environment and creates new reef ecosystems to help support the broader marine life in Moreton Bay.
“The LNP is providing a better fishing experience for Mum & Dad anglers in an environmentally responsible way,” Dr Robinson said.
“We are excited to give the 350,000 recreational anglers in Southeast Queensland this new opportunity to wet a line, and to provide an economic boost to local tourism and small businesses.”

Dr Robinson said the reef has been named after the popular former Sunfish Moreton Branch chairman Bill Turner.
“The creation of Turner Reef comes on top of the barge sunk at Harry Atkinson Reef and reef balls added to West Peel and Coochie reefs.”

“I would like to encourage the State Government to continue to build new artificial reefs in Moreton Bay as a value-adding measure, rather than using their previous approach in which they gave rec fishers artificial reefs with one hand, but took fishing areas away as lock-out zones with the other hand.”

“I also call on the Government to return the funding they axed from the LNP Government’s final budget for a new artificial reef off Wellington Point.”
ENDS
Media Contact: Mark Neville 3286 2726


Mark Neville | Assistant Electorate Officer
Dr Mark Robinson MP | State Member for Cleveland
19 Waterloo Street Cleveland 4163 | PO Box 1399 Cleveland QLD 4163
P 07 3286 2726 | F 07 3286 5418

[tunaticer]

I hope it goes out in DBay instead of in front of Redcliffe......Redcliffe has plenty of natural reef.

[petelaska]

I've got to agree with you about the amount of reef around the peninsula this is another waste of resources. They could then justifiably lock up more natural reef around Redcliffe once this artificial is built. Don't forget who it was that locked up prime areas last time.

[Just_chips]

If it goes where their original consultation plans suggested then it will be smack on top of some very productive rubbly patches.

Absolute Einsteins this lot, putting an artificial reef on top of a natural one....

[rayken1938]

Maybe mark can ask for the RFEP funding to be reinstated.
Cheers
Ray

[BLOOEY]

Do these reefs actually replenish fish stocks as stated or do they merely aggregate them. Ben

[Lucky_Phill]

Do these reefs actually replenish fish stocks as stated or do they merely aggregate them. Ben

Artificial reefs do many things.

1... They start a new habitat
2... they encourage & protect species
3... the enhance the substrate... re-build
4.. they disperse fishing pressures
5... they possibly offer new breeding areas

All reefs " aggregate " fish, as we all know.... find the structure / find the fish..

The apparent replenishment would be a natural occurance.

It is the same as on the land..... provide more farming land / feed and you can grow more stock.



Deploying artificial reefs will not satisfy everyone as we all have different ideas on structure and place and reasons for doing so. What has been done is firstly discount areas that reefs CANNOT be deployed. Shipping channels, unsuitable substrate, water depth, tidal flows, other habitats, proximity to other substrates and reefs , marine park issues and a lot more.

Obviously in the ideal world, we deploy hundreds or more of these great reefs in Moreton Bay to re-build or enhance existing reefs, make new ones that have been destroyed by man made events. These is no perfect place to deploy them. We have chosen the best area to suit the needs of the habitat, fishery and stakeholders.

I have yet to hear an agruement that arti reefs are detrimental. Yes, certain types of materials are not suitable and in the past, there have been bad choices, but these days we are much more educated and undertsanding of the environment and our materials selection process is world class.

Placing some reef balls / fish boxes in the shallow water off Scarborough will not affect the substrate, but will enhance it. It is not like we are covering up all the existing rubble etc, as these arti reefs will be spread over a wide area and have minimal footprint on the substrate itself.

We also delpoy BRUV's to monitor the growth and species of the reefs. This data is highly valuable and has been used for a while in bringing to the table, the latest and best research data that shows these reefs are working and working well. No downside has been established and all anecdotal responses have been positive, as well.


cheers LP