Reef Ball Rejuvenation Project 

volunteer hours.

Reef structures and shells

In 2009 – 2012, the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) deployed concrete reef balls across six locations in Port Phillip Bay to recreate lost structure.

This project allows local anglers and community members to infill these reef balls using recycled shell from OzFish’s Shellsavers Project, and The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Shuck Don’t Chuck program.

This combined approach results in a larger reef footprint, more complex habitat, natural recruitment of native shellfish, and overall better fishing opportunities for iconic species  

Community-driven shellfish reefs

Community members continue to deploy shells across the reef ball locations to support and expand these important ecosystems.

Anglers and volunteers prepare bags of shells that are then deployed by boat above the concrete reef balls.

This work began in 2024 and will continue until late 2026. Monitoring of fish species will be conducted during this time using baited remote underwater video systems.  

Improving habitat resilience

This project aims to improve the overall marine ecosystem health, water quality, and fish productivity by eliminating fragmentation of established reef habitats and increasing overall habitat area.

This will also likely aid the bay’s resilience to impending climate change impacts by buffering erosion through shoreline protection, sequestering carbon, and through the filtering and uptake of excess nutrients.

Habitat expansion & connectivity

We want to enhance the effects of previous work by connecting these reef balls and improving the overall habitat by encouraging the settlement of key habitat-building species such as the native Australian flat oyster (Ostrea angasi).  

Boat-Based Reefs

This project is made possible by funding support from the Victorian Government to improve recreational fishing in Victoria through revenue from Recreational Fishing Licences and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.