SIMS will make a major contribution to marine science.

Much of its work will have world-wide applicability.

New offshore artificial reefs off Sydney will be assessed for the growth of fouling organisms (barnacles and sea squirts) and the attraction of reef fish, plankton and bait fish.  We will determine for a range of fish species, their residency by acoustic telemetry and proportion of fish biomass provided by the artificial reef through planktonic or benthic processes. It is unknown if the reef actually produces fish through these processes or simply attracts fish, increasing their vulnerability to recreational angling. Artificial reefs attract fish and anglers, particularly where rocky reef habitat is sparse, or where fishing is excluded such as in sanctuary zones.

This purpose built reef is fundamentally different to a rubble pile or a scuttled vessel. The key process is the flow of current and supply of nutrients through the 3-dimensional structure, and not just over or around it. This planktonic effect is unknown, nor are the effects on baitfish understood. 

The seasonal biomass and growth of benthic communities and plankton abundance around offshore artificial reefs will be compared with the estimate of harvest of different species/guilds of fish.  Reef fidelity is a critical component of production to determine what fraction of the reef’s fish biomass can be attributed to the reef. 

Proposed ARC Linkage project with The Recreational Fishing Trust (Drs. Michael Lowry and Matthew Taylor, DPI-Fisheries) and Professor Iain Suthers, Associate Professor Emma Johnston, and Moninya Roughan of the University of New South Wales.