Three artificial reefs to lure bigger fish, more varieties to Mackay piers along Pioneer River

No boat, no problem. The $503,000 project aims to make fishing more rewarding from along the Pioneer River.

The fishing pier at the Bluewater Quay is one of three fishing platforms that will be enhanced with an artificial reef. Picture: Mackay Regional Council

Three new artificial reefs will be built along the Pioneer River to make fishing more rewarding from the Mackay shore.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the project would lure greater numbers of larger fish and more desirable species to the platforms at the end of Bridge Rd, Brisbane St and Carlyle St.

“The habitat reefs are made from environmentally-friendly concrete, and over time the habitat reefs will become indistinguishable due to the rapid growth of reef-building marine organisms, adding further habitat and biodiversity,” Cr Williamson said.

He said the reefs would be within casting distance of the platforms that were popular with families and tourists and accessible to persons with disabilities.

“They are also all connected by the Bluewater Trail,” Cr Williamson said.

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Mackay Regional Council documents state SMC marine would build stage one at Bridge Rd and Brisbane St by the end of April with stage two at Carlyle St due for completion in early May.

The $503,707 project, jointly funded with the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland COVID program, was part of the council’s Recreational Fishing Strategy devised in 2017.

Cr Williamson said the strategy aimed to have Mackay recognised nationwide as a premier fishing destination and increase the economic contribution of recreational fishing.

“We have invested heavily in marketing campaigns to promote the fact that anglers have access to tremendous fishing options in our region for 365 days of the year,” he said.

“From the Great Barrier Reef and Cumberland Islands to our three stocked impoundments with world record size barramundi and our Cape Hillsborough to St Helens Beach Net Free Zone, there is somewhere to chase a trophy fish at any time of the year.”

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Originally published as Three artificial reefs to lure bigger fish, more varieties to Mackay piers along Pioneer River