The Northern Territorys vibrantrecreational fishing industry will receive a further boost with the tender toconstruct four new artificial reefs awarded to a local company.
An $8.3M contract has beenawarded to Shorecast NT Pty Ltd to construct four new artificial reefs in theBeagle Gulf as part of the Territory Governments $50 million investment toimprove recreational fishing opportunities.
Northern Territorybusiness Shorecast will join forces with Subcon Technologies a company thathas designed and built 17 artificial reefs across Australia to deploy fournew engineered, artificial reefs a first for the Territory.
Subcon specialises indesigning and constructing purpose-built artificial reef modules with previousprojects in Exmouth, South Sydney, Merimbula, Port Macquarie, Rottnest Islandand other locations.
The artificial reefs areman-made structures constructed from steel and concrete. They sit on the seafloor and are designed to replicate the best possible natural reef habitat.
The new artificial reefswill be located in the Greater Darwin region, two will be between North Gutterand Lee Point, one in the Dundee region and one between the Vernon Islands andCape Hotham.
As stated by Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Paul Kirby:
These artificial reefs aredesigned to increase long term fisheries production, enhance the sustainabilityof key fishery resources and improve recreational fishing opportunities.
This keystone project ispart of the Northern Territory Governments commitment to expand and improverecreational fishing as a lifestyle activity and tourism feature in the TopEnd.
The Northern TerritoryGovernment has committed to invest $50 million over five years in a number ofrecreational fishing infrastructure projects to enhance the recreationalfishing industry and create jobs.
As stated by Shorecast managing director Arthur Hamilton:
Shorecast and theShorelands Group of companies is excited to carry out this world class projectin partnership with Subcon Technologies.
Theartificial reefs will be a great asset to the Territory for recreationalfishers and the environment.
As stated by Amateur Fishermens Association of the Northern TerritoryCEO David Ciaravolo:
AFANT welcomes the awarding of this tender and we lookforward to the construction beginning.
“Thesenew purpose-built reefs will help create new, exciting and diverse fishingopportunities for Top End fishers and tourists.
“Artificial fish habitat design and construction hascome a long way and the reefs that will feature in the Top End will be world class.
