Four artificial fishing reefs placed in popular locations in the Top End are proving to be popular with marine life and anglers, after three years of growth.
The reefs, placed between North Gutter and Lee Point, the Dundee region and between the Vernon Islands and Cape Hotham, have created a fishing environment and a habitat for numerous species of fish, becoming covered in coral growth and providing an important part of the food chain.
Under water drone footage taken by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade show the flourishing marine life that call the artificial reefs home, such as coral trout, jewfish, tuskfish and snapper.
The reefs were designed to increase long term fisheries production, enhance the sustainability of key fisher resources and improve recreational fishing opportunities.
The artificial reefs were part of a $50 million investment into to improve recreational fishing facilities in the Top End.
Reports of catches from recreational fishers have also shown there are a wide variety species attracted to the reefs. Not only are there reef fish such as jewfish and golden snapper commonly caught but stories of catches of pelagic species such as sailfish and marlin are also regularly encountered.
Quotes from Fisheries Minister Paul Kirby:
"Recreational fishing is a key part of the Territory lifestyle, attracts thousands of visitors to the Territory and creating hundreds of jobs for Territorians.
"The artificial reef project is aimed at supporting this, by creating new habitats which increase the long term sustainability of our local fishing stocks, and by boosting recreational fishing opportunities across the Top End.
"Know your possession limits and target fish suitable for catch and release once you have caught a feed of reef fish. If you are catching large numbers of small reef fish, make sure you change locations to avoid killing fish unnecessarily."
Northern Territory Government
