Two newly-completed reef projects near Geelong are set to boost local anglers’ chances of reeling in a big catch, according to state government.
Fishing Minister Melissa Horne on Wednesday announced the completion of projects following a $2.5 million state government investment.
“Projects like these not only allow for more fishing, [they bring] people to regional communities, supporting local jobs,” she said.
The first project features three reefs in Corio Bay near local landmarks, named with help from Geelong fishing clubs and other organisations.
Workers constructed the trio with 2000 tonnes of basalt as a base, sourced from the nearby Cherry Creek juvenile justice facility with help from VRFish, Victoria’s peak recreational fishing body.
The reefs were then topped with 100 tonnes of limestone and seeded with 400,000 native flat oysters from the Victorian Shellfish Hatchery at Queenscliff and 10 tonnes of blue mussels from local grower Advanced Mussel Supply.
The Outer Harbour reef will be called Moolap – the Wadawurrung name for Point Henry meaning a place of men fishing with spears.
The reef near St Helens was named Merv’s Reef after the late Merv McGuire, the former head of VRFish.
The reef is 62 metres from a break wall, making it ideal for land-based fishers, according to government.
At Kirk Point the reef will be called Wilson Reef, honouring Geelong fishing writer and identity Geoff Wilson.
The Nature Conservancy led the second project, which included restoring reefs at 9ft Bank in the Geelong Arm with 100 cubic metres of recycled shells from restaurants and the seafood industry.
The project also included new reefs at Wilson Spit in Corio Bay and other locations in Port Phillip Bay.
The 3.5 hectares of new reefs were seeded with 3 million oysters and six tonnes of blue mussels.
According to government the reefs will improve water quality and attract diverse fish and aquatic life, and are away from shipping channels and spoil grounds.
“These reefs will give even more local fishers the opportunity to chase key species like snapper, whiting and calamari, making Corio Bay’s fishing even better,” South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said.
