Anglers asked to nominate locations for new artificial reefs

Sick of coming back empty-handed after a day of fishing? Then get online and tell the government to damn well do something about it.

Sick of coming back empty-handed after a day of fishing in Coffs? Then get online and tell the government to damn well do something about it.

The Department of Primary Industries is calling on people to nominate where to build the state’s next artificial reef and Coffs Coast could be in with a shout, with three possible options.

Coffs Harbour to Nambucca North Head, Woolgoolga to Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga to Wooli are all areas in the running and anglers can do an online survey to help determine the next site.

The survey is open until June 17.

Artificial reefs are used around the world to enhance fishing opportunities by creating additional habitat for sea life.

Concrete is lowered into the ocean to form an artificial reef.

The concrete or steel structures are lowered into the water as a singular object or en masse and are designed in such a way to redirect ocean currents and create eddies to help fish populate new homes.

There are already nine situated off the coast of NSW – though none on the Coffs Coast.

Local anglers have to venture to either Port Macquarie or the Tweed to get in on the fake reef action and it has long been suggested the Coffs Coast could benefit from having one offshore.

The Department of Primary Industries already deploys Fish Aggregating Devices or FADs which are a floating buoy designed to attract fish. The colourful Mahi Mahi are most commonly found at the FADs and there is one off the Coast of Coffs Harbour.