Estuarine - artificial reefs

Estuarine artificial reef locations

The NSW DPI has deployed six artificial reef locations across the states estuaries, which are listed below. Estuarine artificial reefs (EAR’s) are mainly comprised of hollow concrete spheres known as “Reef Balls”, which provide new locations for fishing and more habitat for fish, algae and crustaceans.

Note: All coordinates are in WGS84 datum and represent the approximate centre point of each reef site

Reef Location

Latitude (S)

Longitude (E)

Approx. No. of Reef Balls

Depth (m)

Lake Macquarie

33° 05.814'

151° 36.891'

520

5

Botany Bay

33°.58.940'

151°.13.447'

400

6-15

Bellinger River (1)

30° 27. 569'

153°.02.360'

50

3

Bellinger River (2)

30°.26.404'

153°.01.110'

50

3

Bellinger River (3)

30°.26.525'

153°.00.786'

50

3

St Georges Basin (1)

35° 07.449'

150° 37.031'

300

4-6

St Georges Basin (2)

35° 07.259'

150° 37.928'

300

4-6

Lake Conjola

35° 15.628'

150° 28.330'

400

4-8

Merimbula Lake

36° 53.918'

149° 53.175'

400

5

fish aggregate around reef balls in St Georges Basin
A reef ball being lowered into the Bellinger River estuarine artificial reef
Reef balls on a barge in the St Georges Basin
fish aggregate around reef balls in St Georges Basin
A reef ball being lowered into the Bellinger River estuarine artificial reef
Reef balls on a barge in the St Georges Basin