Shellfish reefs in Port Phillip Bay to be rejuvenated

by Deborah Cole on 3 Aug 2014 Shellfish reefs in Port Phillip Bay will be rejuvenated under a landmark partnership between the Victorian Coalition Government and one of the world’s largest conservation groups.

Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh today announced the Coalition Government and the Nature Conservancy would work together on Australia’s first shellfish reef restoration project as part of a three-year, $270,000 partnership.

'Shellfish beds are recognised as important ecological features of Port Phillip Bay as they can provide key fish habitat valued by both commercial and recreational fishers,' Mr Walsh said.

'The pilot project will use native flat oysters raised at the Department of Environment and Primary Industries’ Queenscliff hatchery to re-establish shellfish presence on reefs in the Bay, and is expected to significantly improve fish habitat and recreational fishing opportunities.

'While this is the first Australian reef restoration effort, the project will test a range of reef restoration methods based on successful overseas experiences.'

Mr Walsh said the first reefs to be restored would be at Geelong, Hobsons Bay and Chelsea.

The Nature Conservancy will contribute $150,000 while the Coalition Government will provide $120,000 from the $16 million Recreational Fishing Initiative.

'The Victorian Coalition Government has delivered more for recreational fishing in three-and-a-half years than the former Labor government did in more than a decade,' Mr Walsh said.

'By improving angling opportunities across the state through the Recreational Fishing Initiative, we are helping local communities thrive and building a better Victoria.'

The Nature Conservancy’s Director of Conservation Dr James Fitzsimons said restoring the Bay’s shellfish reefs was an exciting project for the organisation to be involved in.

'Around the world, considerable progress is being made to restore estuarine reefs that increase biodiversity, improve fishery productivity and filter the water,' Dr Fitzsimons said.

Mr Walsh said the project was initiated by Fisheries Victoria and the Albert Park Yachting and Angling Club, whose members had identified through club fishing records the loss of productive snapper habitat in and around Hobsons Bay.