Artificial reefs breed success

The “massive” success of artificial reefs in Dunsborough and Bunbury has paved the way for more of the structures along the coast.

At the one-year mark of a citizen science study to identify the increasing number of fish species at the South West reefs, WA’s peak recreational fishing body said the findings were unexpected.

Both of the artificial structures, which were installed in April 2013, were part of the Department of Fisheries’ South West Artificial Reefs Trial Project.

Recfishwest research officer James Florisson said the reefs — the first recreational fishing reefs in WA — had led to others being installed.

“Because of the success of those, we’re now putting a reef off Mandurah,” Mr Florisson said.

“We’re also going to put two, what we call fish towers, just south of Rottnest — they’re pretty much five-storey buildings in the ocean to attract different species of fish.

“The Bunbury and Dunsborough reefs have pretty much instigated the growth of other artificial reefs in WA.”

Using underwater cameras, 12 South West volunteer “social scientists” have been working with Recfishwest to monitor the reefs.

Fish species have rocketed from 11 to 63 since the structures were installed and include sharks, rays and recreational target species.

“We were expecting a large amount of species in large numbers, but we weren’t expecting this sort of variation this fast,” Mr Florisson said.

“Dunsborough has a few more species than Bunbury, but Bunbury has a lot more fish and abundance of certain species.”

Forrest MHR Nola Marino said in June a re-elected Turnbull Government would invest $300,000 on artificial reefs in the South West.

Department of Fisheries supervising scientist Dr Brett Molony said artificial reefs could be further improved.

“Reef designs with more complex spaces – more small spaces for example – would likely improve their performance,” Dr Molony said.