Port Phillip Recreational Fishing Reefs
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Officially launched by the Minister for Fisheries, the Hon Joe Helper on 16 May 2009
 | | 'Lowering reef balls overboard - Port Phillip' DPI Victoria | |
A public competition saw two reefs named 'Rec Reef' after the recreational value of fishing to many Victorians and 'Yakka Reef' to reflect the growing number of kayaks in Port Phillip Bay.
A third reef was named 'Tedesco Reef' in honour of the late well-known fishing identity, Neil Tedesco. Sadly Mr Tedesco passed away at just 31 in a recent diving accident; however his passion for recreational fishing will be remembered in the naming of this reef.
The reefs are currently being placed in Port Phillip Bay off Aspendale (Rec Reef), Frankston (Yakka Reef) and Seaford (Tedesco Reef).
Each reef comprises 96 specially made concrete balls of different sizes, with a total combined weight of almost 30 tonnes distributed in a special design over a square plot of 50m x 50m.
The reefs are expected to be rapidly colonised by marine life, but are likely to take several years to reach their full fish attracting potential.
.jpg) | | Leatherjackets and snapper are two species that would be attracted to an artifical reef - DPI Victoria . |
The three reef areas are protected by a commercial fishing exclusion zone (approximately 1 kmē) to enable accurate monitoring of recreational fishing use of the reefs and maximise opportunities for recreational fishers to catch fish at these sites.
Monitoring of the effects of the new reefs on local fish populations and a range of other marine species will be a key focus of these trials.
The Port Phillip Bay Recreational Fishing Reefs are one of a range of initiatives that the Victorian Government is undertaking to enhance recreational fishing opportunities and facilities under the Enhanced Recreational Fishing Program.
 | | Location of Port Phillip Bay artificial reefs - DPI Victoria . |
The reef at Aspendale is named Rec Reef to highlight the use of these reefs to improve recreational fishing.
| Site | Description | Longitude | Latitude | | Aspendale | Far North Pallet Ball | 145° 4.616' E | 38° 2.152' S | | Aspendale | Far East Pallet Ball | 145° 4.636' E | 38° 2.168' S | | Aspendale | Far South Pallet Ball | 145° 4.615' E | 38° 2.184' S | | Aspendale | Far West Pallet Ball | 145° 4.596' E | 38° 2.167' S |
The reef at Seaford is named Tedesco Reef to pay tribute to Neil Tedesco who passed away on 16 April 2009 at age 31. Neil was a devoted fisher and diver and a true ambassador for these sports.
| Site | Description | Longitude | Latitude | | Seaford | Far North Pallet Ball | 145° 5.954' E | 38° 5.229' S | | Seaford | Far East Pallet Ball | 145° 5.974' E | 38° 5.246' S | | Seaford | Far South Pallet Ball | 145° 5.953' E | 38° 5.261' S | | Seaford | Far West Pallet Ball | 145° 5.934' E | 38° 5.245' S |
The reef at Frankston is named Yakka Reef after the growing number of people using kayaks in the bay as an environmentally-friendly way to go fishing.
| Site | Description | Longitude | Latitude | | Frankston | Far North Pallet Ball | 145° 5.480' E | 38° 8.467' S | | Frankston | Far East Pallet Ball | 145° 5.500' E | 38° 8.483' S | | Frankston | Far South Pallet Ball | 145° 5.479' E | 38° 8.499' S | | Frankston | Far West Pallet Ball | 145° 5.459' E | 38° 8.482' S |
by DPI Vic 5:17 AM Sat 13 Jun 2009
|
