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Going down: Peel Fish Stocking and Management
Association committee members Leon Hodge, Phil Curran, John
Wroth, and Nick Lukacs with consultant David Lennon (second
from right) and one of the
reefballs.
| Reef balls to promote
marine habitat
Monday, 27 December 2004
A PILOT project to enhance the marine
environment of Mandurah's canal systems saw reefballs lowered into
the water.
Twenty of the balls were lowered at Mariners Cove
with five either side of the Island Bridge in Port
Bouvard.
Consultant David Lennon who completed a report
previously funded through the Peel Development Commission and Water
and Rivers Commission visited from Melbourne to supervise the
placement of the reef balls into the water.
The Peel Fish
Stocking and Management Association initiated the reef balls project
two years ago.
It has worked with local developers Cedar
Woods Ltd and Port Bouvard Ltd, Peel Harvey Catchment Council, Water
and Rivers Commission, community members and the Peel Development
Commission to research the project, import the reef ball moulds and
then work with local volunteers to produce the finished
product.
A further 10 balls will be installed at the public
swimming beach at Port Bouvard in the near future allowing
snorkellers the opportunity to observe the marine life as it
inhabits the reef balls.
Peel Fish Stocking and Management
Association president Leon Hodge said the implementation of the reef
balls went very well and was completed in one day.
"Monitoring by community and academic bodies will now occur
to verify marine enhancement compared to similar areas without reef
balls," Mr Hodge said.
Peel Fish Stocking and Management
Association will monitor the project and will gradually involve
other people.
Peel Development Commission chief executive
officer Maree De Lacey said the reef ball project had the potential
to play an important role in the environmental management on the
impact of development within the Peel Waterways.
'The
Commission was very pleased to join in partnership with the other
stakeholders in this project that has a very professional group of
people driving it," Ms Delacy said.
Further information on
the reef ball project is available by contacting Nick Lukacs on 0403
463 996.
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