The Liberal-National Government has announced the go ahead for a $2.12million initiative to establish the State’s first artificial reef trial on the South West coast. Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said that artificial ref project would enhance the availability of key fish species’ habitat. He added that the project is said to benefit the local environment and local communities; complement Western Australia’s robust and adaptive fisheries’ management approach; and help ensure fish stocks are kept sustainable.
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls informed that the fund is available through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program and that would be established at Geographe Bay. He told that Geographe Bay is a prime location that could benefit from the installation of purpose-built artificial reef structures.
According to Grylls this trial is the first of its kind in WA and has strong community support from the Shire of Busselton and Recfishwest, the peak body representing recreational fishers. He said that Recfishwest will work with the Department of Fisheries and the South-West community to identify priority locations for the trial structures.
Moore said the MoU would allow the Department of Fisheries and Korea Fisheries Resources Agency to ponder over the opportunities for research and development projects and facilitate the transfer of expertise, technology and capacity. He added that this accord represents a unique opportunity for our State to learn and benefit from work the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency has put into artificial reef development as we consider these structures as a potential option to help ensure future fish stocks are kept sustainable.
