On the 5th of March 2026, I (Will) headed offshore from Wirrina Cove alongside McMahons Services and In-Depth Innovations as part of the planning process for the future artificial reef build. It was an unreal day on the water, with glassy conditions making it perfect for carrying out the site survey operations. Using their ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), the team from In-Depth Innovations completed a detailed survey of the proposed reef location, running multiple transects across the site to assess the suitability of the area for future deployment. The process involved carefully examining the seabed composition, surrounding habitat, and overall site conditions to ensure the location would provide the best possible foundation for the reef build moving forward. The chosen area sits in roughly 27 metres of water and features a combination of rubble and muddy bottom – exactly the kind of environment that makes for a great artificial reef site. The existing structure and substrate will help support future habitat growth, with the reef expected to provide increased opportunities for marine life to establish and thrive over time. It was awesome to see the technology and precision involved throughout the survey process. Everything went off without a hitch, and it was exciting to get another step closer to seeing this project come to life. We also managed to capture some footage throughout the day, and you can check out a short video recap over on the RecFish SA social media pages including: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. Watch a short video of the day HERE.

Will headed over to McMahons to inspect the reef module casting site as the modules were being filled with concrete – and it was safe to say the project had really started to come to life. Seeing the scale of the operation in person was unreal, with the reef modules taking shape and looking fantastic. The quality and detail in the builds were seriously impressive, and it was exciting to think these structures would soon be deployed to create new habitat and help support marine life for years to come. Huge credit went to everyone involved in the process, with plenty of hard work happening behind the scenes to get the project to this stage. Watch a short summary of the event HERE.

Will and Asher headed over to the McMahons site to inspect the reef modules that had almost all been completed and were getting ready for deployment. Seeing the scale of the project in person was seriously exciting, with rows of finished reef modules ready to soon make their way into the water at both the Wirrina and Neapean Bay artificial reef sites. The project has been delivered in collaboration with the South Australian Government to support the recreational fishing sector and contribute to HAB recovery, helping create new marine habitat and improve biodiversity in key areas. One of the standout features of the reef builds was the integration of oyster shells into the concrete modules, designed to help attract oyster settlement and encourage further marine growth over time. Three different reef module models are being used throughout the project, including the Fish Temple, the larger 2.2 metre Large Fish Temple, and the Bio Reef Bommy. Each design brings something unique to the reef system, creating a variety of structure, shelter, and surfaces for marine life to utilise. In total, 50 regular Fish Temples, 16 Bio Reef Bommys, and 2 Large Fish Temples will be deployed across the two sites. The modules look fantastic, with the quality of the builds and attention to detail extremely impressive. With deployment day fast approaching, it was awesome to see the project reaching this stage and exciting to think about the future marine habitat these reef modules will help create for years to come. Watch the full update video HERE.

The media brief day at the McMahons site was a huge milestone for the artificial reef project, with major traditional media outlets including The Advertiser, 7 News and 10 News First gathering on site to hear more about the exciting reef builds set to be deployed at both the Wirrina and Nepean Bay artificial reef sites. The atmosphere throughout the day was electric, with rows of completed reef modules lined up across the McMahons yard, showcasing the scale and ambition of the project. Media crews were taken through the purpose behind the reef builds, how the modules were designed, and the role they are expected to play in supporting marine habitat, biodiversity, and the recreational fishing sector across South Australia. One of the standout talking points during the briefing was the integration of oyster shells into the concrete reef modules, designed to encourage oyster settlement and promote further marine growth once deployed underwater. The variety of module designs also drew significant attention, including the Fish Temple, Large Fish Temple, and Bio Reef Bommy models, each bringing unique habitat structure and shelter opportunities for marine life. With deployment day now rapidly approaching, excitement surrounding the project continues to build as these impressive reef modules prepare to make their way into South Australian waters.

On 27 May 2026, we reached a major milestone in the Artificial Reef Project with the successful deployment of the reef modules offshore from Wirrina Cove. Working alongside McMahons Services and In-Depth Innovations, the team carefully transported and positioned the purpose-built reef structures at the selected site following months of planning, surveying, and preparation. Using specialised lifting equipment, each module was lowered onto the seafloor with precision, creating the foundation for a new artificial reef designed to enhance marine habitat and support local fish populations. The deployed modules, which incorporate recycled oyster shells within their concrete design, will provide valuable hard structure for marine organisms to settle and grow. Over time, these reefs are expected to attract a diverse range of species, increasing habitat complexity and contributing to improved fishing opportunities and marine biodiversity in the region. It was exciting to see the project move from planning and construction into the deployment phase, bringing us one step closer to establishing a thriving artificial reef ecosystem. We also captured footage throughout the day, and a short video recap can be viewed on the RecFish SA social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.