• What are Artificial Reefs?
• Meeting High Environmental Standards in the World Heritage Area
• What are the Key Issues to Consider?
• Permit Requirements
• Guidelines for Applicants
• Contact Us

Proposals to create artificial reefs in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park have been in the news of late with a number of groups discussing potential artificial reef programs focused on diving and fishing activities. In anticipation of future applications, we’ve compiled the following background information to show how our current management actions apply to artificial reefs.

What are Artificial Reefs?

Artificial reefs are any structure that people build or put in place on the seafloor, in the water column or floating on the sea surface for the purpose of either creating a new attraction for divers or to concentrate or attract plants and animals for the purpose of fishing.

Meeting High Environmental Standards in the World Heritage Area

The listing of the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Area recognises its unique natural values. Any artificial reef structure, whether for diving or fishing, must meet high environmental standards to minimise negative impacts on this world icon.

What are the Key Issues to Consider?

Some issues to address when considering the management of potential artificial reefs include:

• balancing the need for protection of the natural values of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with the reasonable use of artificial reefs;
• protecting indigenous use and value and other cultural heritage values;
• balancing stakeholder requirements e.g. fishermen and divers may have different and potentially conflicting requirements for type, use, locations and management of artificial reefs;
• ensuring the structures used are clean, non-polluting and will not move or break-up;
• locating the structure in areas that minimise environmental impacts;
• identifying and avoiding conflicts with existing users, including indigenous uses, navigation routes, commercial and recreational fishing grounds, research, and existing tourism and recreation sites;
• managing depletion of natural fish populations that may be attracted from surrounding areas to a specific location (artificial reefs) where they may be more easily targeted by fishermen; and
• resolving liability issues should a person be injured or property damaged (eg. as a result of diving on an artificial reef or from a vessel running into, or getting caught up on an artificial reef).

Occupational health and safety and maritime safety are also significant responsibilities that proponents need to address. These matters are managed through other Commonwealth and Queensland legislation. 

The GBRMPA is keen to work in partnership with proponents to get the best outcome for the community and for the Marine Park. The GBRMPA does not have any legislation, plans or policy opposing the establishment of artificial reefs. But like all proposals for placing structures in the Marine Park, any artificial reef proposal will be addressed on its merits, to ensure the best outcome for the community and the World Heritage Area

Permit Requirements

A permit from the GBRMPA is required before you can create and operate an artificial reef in the Marine Park. 

Depending on a number of factors, in particular whether the artificial reef is proposed to be located in Commonwealth or State waters, installation and operation of an artificial reef will require a Sea Dumping permit and may require a Sea Installations permit.

Proposals to install and operate an artificial reef in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park may also require consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Guidelines for Applicants

If you are considering making an application to install an artificial reef in the Marine Park, please see the further detail provided in our Artificial Reef Guidelines, and then get in touch with us so that we can discuss the specifics of your proposal.

Contact Us

Please send us your comments on the management of Artificial Reefs in the Marine Park.