- Cook Government invests $1.4 million in new Albany artificial reef to support recreational fishing
- City of Albany to lead tender process for the artificial reef
- Increasing recreational fishing opportunities provides direct benefit to the local businesses and fishing tourism
The Cook Government is investing $1.4 million in an artificial reef off the Albany coast to provide a new recreational fishing hotspot for locals and visitors.
Funded through the State Government's Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund, the reef project is being led by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, with support from the City of Albany and Recfishwest.
The Albany reef will be located approximately nine kilometres east of Albany in King George Sound, offshore from Ledge Beach and designed to create a safe, accessible, and productive fishing location to support a range of local species including silver trevally, samson fish, harlequin, salmon, whiting, and squid.
Artificial reefs are purpose-built structures that create unique underwater habitats and support a diverse range of fish and other marine species.
The City of Albany will be leading the tender process for the design, fabrication, and deployment of the artificial reef, which is expected to be in place by early 2027.
The Albany artificial reef is one of nine State Government funded along the Western Australian coastline, with reefs already in place off Exmouth, Carnarvon, Ocean Reef, Rottnest Island, Mandurah, Bunbury, Dunsborough, and Esperance.
For a location map of WA's artificial reefs, visit: www.dpird.wa.gov.au/individuals/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-initiatives/artificial-reefs/
As stated by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"This new artificial reef project is a great example of how the Cook Government is reinvesting fishing licence fees back into the economy and supporting recreational fishing across Western Australia.
"Artificial reefs provide high quality fishing experiences, while also creating unique tourism opportunities that support local businesses and deliver lasting benefits for regional communities.
"I commend the City of Albany and Recfishwest for supporting the project, which will be the second reef for South Coast fishers, alongside Cooper Reef off Esperance."
