MORE BAY REEFS FOR GEELONG FISHERS

[fishingvic]

MORE BAY REEFS FOR GEELONG FISHERS


Media contact: Kieran Jones 0421 031 900 | kieran.jones@minstaff.vic.gov.au
Monday, 28 September 2020
MORE BAY REEFS FOR GEELONG FISHERS
Geelong fishers will reap the rewards of more fishing funding, with the Victorian Government investing $700,000 to install three new reefs in Corio Bay.
Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne today announced Polaris Marine had been appointed contractor to build the new reefs, which will provide more homes for fish and better angling options for residents and visitors.
The new reefs are part of the Government’s $35 million Target One Million investment in improving recreational fishing in Victoria.
The reefs will provide perfect spots for recreational fishers to target popular bay species such as snapper, King George whiting and calamari.
The reef construction will support more than 25 jobs and will make use of local resources such as basalt from the nearby Cherry Creek juvenile justice facility and 100 tonnes of locally sourced limestone.
Once installed, the rocky reefs will be seeded with native oysters and mussels to accelerate their development and encourage colonisation by other marine life. The reefs will be placed at Outer Harbour, Kirk Point and St Helens.
The St Helens reef will deliver better fishing for both boat-based and shore fishers given it will be within casting distance from land.
The rocky reefs are expected to be complete before the end of 2020 and complement the removal of commercial net fishing from Corio Bay in 2018.
Along with the Corio Bay reefs, the $500,000 was recently invested to help The Nature Conservancy build more shellfish reefs at Mornington and Geelong.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
“More reefs in the bay means more fish habitat, which is like a housing boom for Corio Bay’s marine life.”
“We’re building more fishing infrastructure to make sure Victorian fishers get the best bang for their buck out of their fishing licences.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Lara John Eren
“This is great news for Corio Bay, because it will make it easier for residents to access fantastic fishing areas and it will also be a drawcard for fishers outside Geelong.”
“This project will provide jobs for people working in maritime construction and will be a long-term boost for the region.”

[bowl]

Nice

[bowl]

[Nude up]

Ripper can’t wait

[Lightningx]

That’s very very good news!