Barge sinks to form part of artificial reef

by 7News Brisbane on 5 Nov 2014 An old barge has been sunk in the Moreton Bay Marine Park to form part of an existing artificial reef.


The 60 tonne vessel was scuttled this morning at popular fishing spot, Harry Atkinson Reef, 7 km east-south-east of St Helena Island.

The Port of Brisbane offered the boat to the Moreton Bay Marine Park Authority a few months ago.
The government bought it from the Port of Brisbane for $1.

'After a couple of years down there you'll see a lot more growth on the structures and obviously that will attract all the fish life to it. And that'll start the whole web going, so little fish attract bigger fish and the fishermen catch the bigger fish,' said Principal Ranger, Mark Cody.

Principal ranger for the Moreton Bay Marine Park, Mark Cody, says the main purpose will be for recreational fishing.
'The currents and the depths make it unattractive to diving,' said Mark Cody.

It was about a two month process to get the vessel ready.

'They've had to clean it, they've had to add some super structure to the barge to enhance the habitat when it's on the bottom. And basically also getting all the permits and authorities in place,' he said.

The Minister for National Parks, Steve Dickson said, 'These things don't happen by accident. There's a lot of work goes into it. And it's the cleaning out of them and making sure that they are environmentally friendly when we put them down into the water.'

There are expected to be more barges scuttled out at the reef in the near future.