Fishing bans imposed around newly constructed Adelaide metro shellfish reefs

Fancy casting a line off Adelaide’s top reefs? Not at these two popular fishing and diving spots, which will be closed to recreational anglers in 2022.

Two popular fishing spots will be closed to recreational anglers in 2022 to help boost local marine life.

Twelve-month fishing bans have been imposed for the recently constructed Glenelg and O’Sullivan Beach shellfish reefs to help protect juvenile angasi oysters.

The implementation of fishing bans are common practice following the construction of man-made reefs.

Department for Environment and Water marine science principal Simon Bryars said the bans would help improve the area’s artificial marine environment, which required time to settle while fish and oyster colonies were established.

This included the $1.2m Glenelg Reef – a popular fishing and dive spot.

“The Glenelg Reef is a low-profile native oyster reef about one kilometre offshore in approximately seven metres of water within a five-hectare development area,” he said.

“At O’Sullivan Beach, construction has recently wrapped up on a five-hectare native shellfish reef about 500 metres offshore.

“O’Sullivan Beach was chosen as the next metro shellfish reef as it offers suitable environmental conditions with good opportunities for colonisation of marine species from the nearby rocky reefs.”

Anita Nedosyko from The Nature Conservancy. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Dr Roberts said the angasi oysters used for both reefs were grown at the hatchery of PIRSA’s research division, the South Australian Research and Development Institute.

“The oyster spat are now about one centimetre in size and settled on Pacific oyster shells,” he said.

“When mature, in about two years, they will reproduce and contribute to the angasi oyster population on the reef naturally.”

Endemic to southern Australia, angasi oysters are important for improving water quality and providing food for many marine species.

Long-term, the oysters will also help deliver economic benefits to local communities.