- Carnarvon artificial reef set to go in the water by end of August
- Reef modules fabricated by local Carnarvon business Sweet as Concrete
- Cook Government investing fishing licence fees back into projects to support recreational fishing across the State
A new artificial reef off the Carnarvon coast will soon be in the water, creating a new recreational fishing hotspot in the Gascoyne region for locals and visitors.
The Cook Labor Government has invested $1.4 million in the project through the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund.
Artificial reefs are purpose-built structures which create underwater habitats and shelter to attract fish and other marine species.
The reef will be located about seven kilometres west-south-west of Pelican Point and deployed across a nine-hectare area.
The project has been led by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, with support from the Gascoyne Development Commission, Recfishwest, the Shire of Carnarvon and the Carnarvon Chamber of Commerce.
Local business Sweet as Concrete has fabricated the 300 purpose-built reef modules on behalf of the successful tenderer Cyan Renewables.
The modules, designed by Cyan Renewables, are made of steel-reinforced concrete and will provide a unique underwater habitat designed to support a diverse range of commonly targeted fish species including cobia, mulloway, tailor and trevally.
The Carnarvon reef will be the eighth artificial reef to go in the water along the WA coastline.
Other reefs are located off Ocean Reef, Dunsborough, Bunbury, Mandurah, south of Rottnest Island, Esperance and in Exmouth Gulf.
The artificial reef locations can be found on the DPIRD website.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"This new artificial reef will be a gamechanger for recreational fishing in the Gascoyne.
"It will create new quality and accessible recreational fishing experiences along the Carnarvon coastline and provide direct benefits to local businesses with the potential to create jobs and tourism opportunities in the future.
"I'm thrilled the project has already supported the region's economy, with local business Sweet as Concrete fabricating the reef modules and this artificial reef having been Made in WA."
As stated by Gascoyne Minister Hannah Beazley:
"It is exciting for the Carnarvon community to see the artificial reef project nearing completion.
"Our government is proud to invest in regional projects like this which not only enhance our towns and make them great places to live, work and raise a family, but also drive economic growth and job creation.
"This important regional project has been a great collaboration between community, government and industry, and I congratulate all involved in making it a reality."
As stated by Sandra Carr MLC:
"Fishing is part of the lifestyle in our coastal communities and it's one of the great outdoor pastimes that attracts people to our regions.
"I know the Carnarvon artificial reef will be a hugely popular piece of community infrastructure in the Gascoyne that will be well utilised and much loved by locals and visitors for years to come.
"The Cook Labor Government is committed to supporting regional communities, creating vibrancy and diverse offerings for those that live there and those who visit."
