Exmouth’s King Reef is proving a win for both recreational fishing and marine science, with a growing body of research highlighting the ecological value of artificial reefs built with repurposed steel structures.
Driven by a partnership between Recfishwest and Woodside Energy, the project has grown into a broader collaboration including Curtin University, WA Museum, Blue Media Exmouth, Exmouth Game Fishing Club (EGFC), and Underwater Focus.
“From underwater video and citizen science, to sampling the marine environment for DNA, we’re building a deeper understanding of how King Reef is fostering a vibrant and productive marine ecosystem,” said Recfishwest Artificial Reefs Officer Eligh Quigley.
“This work is sure to become increasingly important as marine heatwaves and coral bleaching events are forecast to become more frequent, with artificial reefs assisting in building resilience in the marine environment.”
Below, we explore some of the diverse research being done on King Reef.
Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUVs)
Recfishwest conducts twice-yearly Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) surveys to track reef development, supported by local charter operators. BRUV monitoring is done through an underwater video system attached to a bait basket and lowered to the seafloor at selected locations. Since 2018, over 120 species have been recorded at King Reef.
Curtin University Professor Euan Harvey noted King Reef’s biodiversity outpaces nearby natural habitats, underlining its ecological value.
Check out Recfishwest’s latest BRUV footage from King Reef in the video below!
Citizen science data collection – King of the Reef fishing comp
To celebrate King Reef’s biodiversity and great fishing, Recfishwest, Woodside and EGFC launched the ‘King of the Reef’ fishing competition. Running from June to September 2024, fishers submitted catches through the Track My Fish app.
With over 280 fish entered by nearly 80 participants — about 30% from outside Exmouth — the local engagement and tourism benefits artificial reefs can create are clear. A total of 20 different species were captured and logged at King Reef alone. The competition returns in 2025.
Underwater media
Award-winning photographer Violeta J. Brosig of Blue Media Exmouth captures vivid reef imagery, identifying cryptic fish species not seen in BRUV footage and helping to illustrate the ecological development of King Reef. Violeta’s high-definition media provides a great window for fishers and the wider community into the rich marine life thriving on these amazing structures!
Remote Underwater Camera Systems
In 2024, Recfishwest partnered with Underwater Focus to trial live-streaming underwater cameras. More than 500 videos were extracted from the live steaming, capturing key species like mackerel, coral trout, and even first-time sightings like pennant trevally. An innovative UV-cleaning system kept lenses clear during the extended camera deployment.
eDNA Sampling
Partnering with Curtin University and the WA Museum, Recfishwest is exploring King Reef’s biodiversity using a combination of visual and environmental DNA (eDNA) methods, with a major focus on habitat-forming animals, including corals and sponges.
eDNA methods allow scientists to detect a wide range of species through sampling the marine environment for DNA, reducing the time that divers need to be in the water. Sampling at King Reef is set for mid-2025 and will help show how the marine communities flourishing at King Reef compare with nearby natural and artificial habitats.
King Reef’s various monitoring programs delivered by Recfishwest and facilitated and funded by Woodside Energy build on years of research, in partnership with Curtin University and the local fishing community. Outcomes from this research will assist in the planning and design of artificial reefs in the future, by showcasing the ecological value of different materials such as the repurposed steel modules. But best of all, it will show how these novel ecosystems can create more resilient environments and make fishing even better!