Exmouth fishers have once again stepped up as citizen scientists in the second King of the Reef competition, boosting our knowledge of the positive environmental benefits of King Reef artificial reef in Exmouth Gulf.
Over four months, 117 entrants – including 34 juniors – logged 473 catches through the Track My Fish app, with participation increasing by almost two thirds from 2024. Using comp-branded brag mats, fishers quickly measured and photographed their captures, turning family-friendly fishing into valuable scientific data collection.
The results were exceptional: 36 species were recorded overall, with 27 species recorded from King Reef itself, accounting for 75% of all species caught.
Seven new species not previously detected by traditional monitoring – including largescale saury, pennantfish and Watson’s leaping bonito – have been added to the reef’s species list since the competition’s inception in 2024. Interestingly, Spanish mackerel caught on King Reef during the 2025 competition averaged 14cm longer than elsewhere.
Recfishwest’s Artificial Reefs Approvals Officer, Eligh Quigley, said, “This is what citizen science is all about. Fishers aren’t just competing, they’re actively helping gather useful data that supports the case for more artificial reefs, which support better fishing and thriving marine ecosystems across WA.”
King Reef was deployed in Exmouth Gulf in 2018, using a combination of repurposed steel structures and concrete artificial reef modules. Since then, it has flourished as a thriving marine habitat, home to 160 species and supporting excellent fishing.
Growing in prestige
Funded by Woodside Energy and delivered by Recfishwest in partnership with the Exmouth Game Fishing Club (EGFC), the King of the Reef competition is quickly gaining prestige.
This year, nearly 40 visiting fishers joined locals, drawn in by monthly prizes and the unique four-month rolling leaderboard. Friendly rivalries played out, with a tight race for the major prize category of the most species caught at the artificial reef. Rhyss Clatworthy claimed overall honours with 15 species from King Reef, taking home the top prize Stella 18000 reel.
Ben Knaggs, EGFC’s Events Manager, said, “There was healthy numbers of families entering because it’s so easy to duck 6.4km out from the marina and enjoy fishing King Reef together for a crack at the monthly prizes. It’s a unique competition given its four-months long, so plenty of tactics were at play.”
Standout entries included John Fleay’s 74cm red emperor, Nathaniel Stephenson’s 65.5cm spangled emperor, Bomber Farrell’s 108.5cm trevally, Ben Gryta’s 79cm coral trout, Jasper Spiers’ 47cm blue-lined emperor and Paul Higgins’ cracking GT photo — good enough to land the best pic prize below!
Click here to see the full results from the 2025 King of the Reef comp!
Big thanks from Recfishwest to all competitors who played their part for science, EGFC for their great work in running the competition, Woodside Energy for their significant support, along with prize contributions from Shimano, Tackle World Exmouth, Exmouth Tackle & Camping, RPELX and Halco.
