Artificial reef report by Paul Burt Nine Gold Coast News

The Marine Recreation Association is coordinating efforts to establish an artificial reef program on the Gold Coast. Currently, research is being carried out to determine the most successful and cost effective methods. This is being done in consultation with experts in the field and scientists who have direct knowledge. We also appreciate the assistance and advice being provided by Angus Jackson, Dr. Stephen Smith, Dr. Thomas Steglietz and Dr. John Thorogood.

It is also pleasing to see the media get behind this positive initiative, in particular Channel Nine and Paul Burt by helping create a greater awareness of the benefits that are available to the fishing, boating and diving enthusiasts as well as business and tourist operators.

Thanks also goes to 4BC's Dave Downie for helping to get the message out and supporting our artificial reef initiatives.

Those of us who spend time on the water do not need to be convinced but we have to make our political representatives well aware that there are opportunities that should not be missed and that the time for action is now.

Another issue that needs a result quickly is the need to have a Waterways Authority re-established on the Gold Coast. It was disbanded by the Goss Government. We would like to see the body reinstated under the same terms.

 

The Australian Damsel fish pictured above
was photographed by Ian Banks on the
oldest artificial reef in the area:-
The wreck of the Scottish Prince.

Why do we need artificial reefs?

The numbers of people who go fishing offshore on the Gold Coast have increased substantially in the last twenty-five years and this is putting pressure on the reefs.  Off the northern end of the Gold Coast, the reef systems are relatively sparse and tend to be low in profile compared to those off Moreton Island or Northern New South Wales.

Prior to the construction of the Seaway, few boats could negotiate what was a treacherous bar and the amount of fishing on the reefs was a fraction of what it is today.  After the Seaway was completed many more boats have been able to venture to the reefs and this has had an impact with the numbers of fish caught steadily declining over the years.  The reefs are under pressure.

Back at the Gold Coast Seaway it is an opposite situation. The Seaway walls and in particular the sand bypass pipe have functioned as artificial reefs and new sea life has steadily colonised the area.  Marinas in the Broadwater have also functioned as artificial reefs providing shelter from predators and hard surfaces on which food sources would grow in areas that were previously just sand and not able to support such marine life.

In the last six years, divers who have been regularly spending time in the Seaway have recorded increasing populations and appearances of species not seen there previously.  For example juvenile crayfish are being seen at Narrowneck Reef and the Seaway.  An area that was once wildly crashing surf and shifting sand has become a diving spectacle and despite being a very popular fishing area, the numbers and variety of fish have been increasing and are now at an all time high.  Record numbers of Trevally school by day around the sand bypass pipe.  Schools of rays seen in the mouth of the Seaway are larger than ever seen before.  Ian Banks photographed a group of rays in May 2007 estimated to be over 400.  This has never been seen before.

Narrowneck Reef (pictured above) has been an unintentional artificial reef.  Constructed for the purpose of reducing beach erosion by redirecting current and swell, seaweeds and kelps have unexpectedly established themselves on the geotextile bags and a new thriving ecosystem has developed that is an attraction for divers and fishermen alike.

Read the opinions of the recognised scientific experts that are displayed on this web site, surf the internet and read about the worldwide success stories and you will soon draw the conclusion that artificial reefs offer great opportunities for our marine environment. By providing additional marine habitat, artificial reefs off the Gold Coast would soon be colonised and ecosystems would quickly develop as a result the ideal conditions that exist here - sunlight all year round, warm waters and ample nutrition. New reef areas will take the pressure of existing reefs and over time we are sure to see fish populations increase and this will be positive for the environment.

The Gold Coast economy would benefit through attracting more divers from within Australia and overseas. We have ambitious and imaginative plans that will soon be unveiled to the public upon completion of the necessary research. Furthermore, the diving experiences that are currently available are not being promoted and we believe that these opportunities are being overlooked. The Association will be able to create a better understanding and awareness as we continue with our plans. It is quite common for overseas visitors to remark that their Seaway dive was a better experience than their visit to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Marine Recreation Association is following a set course of action that will provide a sustainable future for fishermen and divers and provide methods that could be used in time all over Queensland and Australia. Our action plan is as follows:-

Kirra Reef was once known as a reef that enjoyed the highest level of biodiversity of comparative reefs and it would have been a tourist attraction today if it had not been buried under sand as a result of the Tweed Bypass project. If the sand cannot be removed then artificial reefs in this area would be a consideration.

If you are interested in boating, fishing or diving and you would like to join our Association, please feel free to contact us and we will make you welcome at our meetings. The bigger the organisation grows, the greater the resources we will have to achieve our goals.

To learn more about our artificial reef initiatives click here.

The Spit and Gold Coast Seaway - photograph courtesy of Ian Banks ©