New oyster reefs to boost fishing in Port Phillip Bay
A new man-made shellfish reef in Port Phillip Bay will boost fishing from the bottom upOne of the best ways to improve fishing opportunities and spark new marine life is to build habitat. So who wouldn’t be rejoicing about the restoration and rebuilding of new shellfish reefs in Port Phillip Bay?
As we reported on previously in Bigger shellfish reef for Port Phillip Bay, the oyster reef project is a terrific initiative that aims to improve the Bay’s health, boost juvenile fish habitat and benefit water quality.
When it comes to the marine food chain, the humble oyster really is key.
It remains to be seen, however, if the reefs are eventually declared habitat protection zones that prevent anchoring and fishing and are used to 'seed' the broader bay waters.
Yet even that would be a win for anglers, whose licences have been used to help fund the project, if the fishing improves as forecast.
Announcing Stage Two of the Oyster Reef Project, Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said that a healthier and more productive Bay is good for recreational fishing. She also made the point it supports the Target One Million aim to get more people fishing, more often.
"It was the Labor Government that made the critical decision to end commercial exploitation of the Bay. We’re preserving the Bay so that all Melburnians can enjoy and experience it for decades to come."
BUILDING THE OYSTER REEFS
Works have begun on stage two of the project to restore lost shellfish reefs in the Bay off St Kilda and Geelong at the Albert Park Yachting and Angling Club with The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
The State Government’s $147,000 investment will allow for locally sourced limestone to be placed on the seafloor at Hobsons Bay and at Wilson Spit near Geelong under seven metres of water by a barge and excavator.
Some 300,000 juvenile oysters will be evenly spread over the limestone by divers covering an area 300 square metres.
WHY OYSTERS?
Oysters are highly efficient at improving water quality. The cycling of nutrients through their waste products, and the complex habitat created by shellfish reefs, provides food and homes for crabs, fish and plankton that are important links in the marine food chain.
In addition to the Government’s funding, The Nature Conservancy contributed $50,000 towards the project and Albert Park Yachting & Angling Club funded $35,000 as well as considerable in-kind investments.
"Long-serving club members noticed a decline in the bay’s shellfish reefs, and their catches from where they once occurred, and wanted to do something about it — it’s great to see this happening," said Albert Park Yachting and Angling Club Vice President Pat Hutchison.
SCALLOP FISHERY CAP NEXT
In another win for recreational anglers, Ms Pulford also announced that consultation has commenced on setting a permanent cap on the Port Phillip Bay scallop fishery.
"Restoring shellfish reefs in the bay will benefit the aquatic environment and recreational anglers who depend on a healthy marine ecosystem for great fisheries," the Member for Albert Park, Martin Foley, added.
More at Target One Million.
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