Forty species seen on Exmouth’s newest fishing playground

Here’s what we sent to our members earlier in the week!

Exmouth’s newest fishing playground King Reef has been in the water for four months now and locals are already reporting some great catches from the reef.

With recent footage collected by Curtin University and Exmouth Reef Vision volunteers, we are also seeing some amazing footage from the sea floor.

In an Australian first, six giant steel structures combined with purpose-built concrete modules were deployed in the Exmouth Gulf only 10 minutes from the Exmouth Marina – providing safe and accessible experiences for families in small boats.

With a reef the equivalent of 11 Olympic size swimming pools, WA’s latest reef is one of the fastest developing reefs in Australia and will only get better!

As a Recfishwest Member we want to share with you first, the second look of fish that are calling the reef home. Forty species have now been recorded on King Reef!

Recently observed golden trevally, amberjack, pearl perch and saddle tail seaperch have joined abundant juvenile red emperor, big estuary cod, Rankin cod, spangled emperor, tuskfish and flathead, just to name a few.

Did you miss the first look at King Reef back in September? You can check that out, including the coordinates for the reef, here.

Artificial reefs in Western Australia have been a product of community drive and passion with local fishers pushing for reef installations, transforming areas devoid of bottom structure and habitat to underwater ‘forests’.

Artificial reefs have also benefited the broader local community by supporting local businesses and the economy through increased fishing tourism. The artificial reefs provide not only an opportunity for ecological growth under the water, but also social and economic growth for the community.

So next time you’re in Exmouth, make sure you pay King Reef a visit!

Continue Reading

February 28, 2025

Casting your vote for fishing in the State election

With just a week until the State election, Recfishwest has below pulled together  all the commitments parties have made to secure better outcomes for fishing.   Click here to read about Recfishwest’s platform for…

Read More

February 27, 2025

World-record breaking cobia and a magic marlin run – marine heatwave powers up Perth pelagics

WA is riding a marine heatwave with ocean temperatures 2–3°C above average, sparking both challenges and incredible fishing opportunities.   Experts warn of risks like fish kills and coral bleaching and Recfishwest…

Read More

February 25, 2025

Fishing for votes: parties cast lines with jetty pledges

As the State Election heats up, all major parties are recognising the value of jetties and fishing platforms to local communities, making significant commitments to build and upgrade them.  Labor has pledged around…

Read More

February 19, 2025

Huge Snapper Guardians turnout highlights Cockburn Sound’s value to local community

The record attendance of 1,000 people at this year’s Snapper Guardians highlights the huge value the local community places in Cockburn Sound and the pink snapper stocks it supports.  Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew…

Read More

February 11, 2025

Recfishwest welcomes more mobile coverage for WA fishers, but Salmon Holes still left in the dark

Recfishwest welcomes the announcement that the State Government is boosting mobile coverage at dozens of coastal locations around the state. It includes $2 million set aside for the installation of mobile towers…

Read More

January 30, 2025

Recfishwest pushing to boost freshwater fishing with floating jetty at Big Brook Dam

An innovative idea for a new fishing platform at Pemberton’s Big Brook Dam is being floated by Recfishwest and the local fishing community – quite literally!   The iconic dam provides year-round trout fishing…

Read More