Artificial Reefs
Busselton Jetty is one of Australia’s greatest artificial reefs. Over 158 years the Jetty’s submerged timber and steel piles have become colonised with a beautiful array of marine invertebrates, creating a vibrant and diverse habitat for over 300 marine species!
Artificial structures can become wonderfully productive ecosystems, enhancing nearby natural environments. Busselton Jetty’s environment team are responsible for sustainably managing the existing artificial reef on the Jetty structure and enhancing the vertical nature of this reef by providing additional seabed structures for marine life to colonise and use as habitat.
Busselton Jetty Underwater Sculpture Park
Installation of the Busselton Jetty Underwater Sculpture Park (otherwise known as the Artificial Reef Trail) is now complete with 13 artistic sculptures, created by 12 WA artist’s anchored to the seafloor using concrete plinths.
The Underwater Sculpture Park is located at the northern end of the Busselton Jetty, beneath Sections 7, 9 and 10 in an area approximately 200m x 20m. Entry is via the Universal Access Platform that is down the ramp on the West side of the Jetty, just before the Underwater Observatory gates.
All 13 sculptures are situated 7-8 metres below the ocean surface with some rising to a height of 5 metres deep. Each structure is fabricated from a variety of materials that are inert in the marine environment, including mild steel, bronze, ceramics and marine grade concrete!Â
To find out more about the amazing Western Australian artists we worked with on the project and to view a range of above and below water photos of each sculpture, please click here.
This habitat enhancing project was progressed largely in response to customer survey results, where thousands of people suggested to us the building of reef structures, including ‘artistic’ elements at the end of the Jetty to enhance visitor experience and the abundance of marine life at the site.
With interest in the installation of artificial reefs increasing both nationally and internationally, we investigated the potential and suitability of the Jetty site for habitat enhancement using artificial structures.
After lengthy research into the idea of a sculpture trail, Busselton Jetty Inc determined the project would benefit biodiversity in the area.
The Busselton Jetty Underwater Sculpture Park incorporates a mix of undersea objects including themed elements, artistic elements, and educational signage. The Project also provides environmental benefits through providing additional hard seafloor habitat, which is naturally uncommon in Geographe Bay, where the seafloor habitat is predominantly seagrass meadows.
Busselton Jetty Inc hope the artificial reef will further enhances the colonising ecological community that is already present under the Jetty structure.
Busselton Jetty Inc, as the approved permit holder for this project, has liaised with the City of Busselton and Department of Transport for object deployment to ensure approval for the final location, installation methods and processes are communicated to the public.
Busselton Jetty Inc’s close working relationship with the local Departments of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Fisheries will also ensure appropriate communication, notifications, and input around the project.
These measures will ensure sound management of potential impacts, whilst maintaining the heritage and integrity of the jetty structure and surrounding marine environment.
Busselton Jetty’s marine environment is one which has continuously experienced human disturbance due to shipping, construction, natural disasters, and tourism. The team at Busselton Jetty Inc is confident that they can sustainably manage the construction impacts of installing the reef elements through ongoing monitoring of the reef site.
You can read more about how we will manage and monitor the underwater sculptures in our Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan.
We are also reaching out to academics and students who may like to collaborate on research projects. Please email our Environment Manager with your interest uwo@busseltonjetty.com.au
