Oyster Reef Projects in South Australia
Kangaroo Island
The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board has constructed 20 small, native flat oyster (Ostrea angasi) shellfish reefs close to Kingscote and American River to restore the health and function of these important shellfish and fish habitats. The new reefs provide habitat for premium recreational fishing species and contribute to a national initiative to restore shellfish reefs.
These low-profile artificial reefs have been constructed using limestone, recycled shell, terracotta tile and ceramic razorfish forms to support natural recruitment of native flat oysters. The reefs will be seeded with local native flat oyster spat that have been wild-caught from within the bay. Over time, the reefs are expected to grow and support the natural settlement of native flat oysters, and connect to form a continuous reef habitat.
This project is supported by the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program: Fisheries Habitat Restoration Program.
O’Sullivan Beach
O’Sullivan Beach reef, constructed in November 2021 is the newest of the metropolitan shellfish reefs. This shellfish reef covers a five-hectare area and sits about 500 metres offshore.
O’Sullivan Beach was chosen as a metropolitan shellfish reef as the site offers suitable environmental conditions with good opportunities for colonisation of marine species from the nearby rocky reefs of the Encounter Marine Park.
the reef has been open for fishing and diving since december 2022.
For more information and GPS points of the reef visit the PIRSA website.
Windara
The Windara shellfish reef development was completed in 2018. Located off Rogues Point near Ardrossan in the Upper Gulf St. Vincent Marine Park, the reef is made of 10,000 tonnes of limestone arranged into 159 reef segments across 20 hectares (an area the size of 11 Adelaide Ovals).
Windara is the Narungga name that was chosen for the reef in recognition of the local Aboriginal peoples’ connection with sea country. The name refers to the eastern area of the Yorke Peninsula region where the reef is located.
Windara Reef is open for recreational fishing, boating and diving. The reef now has a population of both seeded and wild angasi oysters and is providing new habitat for a number of plant and animal species.
For more information and GPS coordinates of the reef visit PIRSA, The Nature Conservatory and Yorke Peninsula tourism.
Glenelg
Completed in October 2021, The Glenelg Shellfish Reef is a low-profile native oyster reef in approximately seven metres of water and about one kilometre offshore. It covers an area of five hectares. Like Windara, the reef is constructed from a limestone rock base and has been seeded with hatchery raised native flat oysters. The reef located in Glenelg is an ideal site within Encounter Marine Park, offering suitable environmental conditions, low wave energy and close proximity to known historic native shellfish beds.
the reef has been open for fishing and diving since december 2022.
For more information and GPS points of the reef visit the PIRSA website.