The Andrews Labor Government is boosting fishing opportunities on Victoria’s surf coast, with new fish attracting devices (FADs) to be installed on the artificial reef in Torquay this summer. Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford has announced that the five yellow FADS would be attached to the reef by divers to attract kingfish – a highly regarded sportfish and that is also great on the dinner table.
“Recreational fishing just keeps getting better in Victoria. We know Victorians love their fishing and that’s why we’re making sure everyone has the opportunity to cast a line.” Minister Pulford commented “This year alone we’ve stocked a record 1 million trout, opened Rocklands Reservoir in the Grampians and by May 2018, commercial netting will cease in Corio Bay for good.”
The Minister went on to explain that the two-year trial is being funded through the Labor Government’s Target One Million plan, which aims to increase participation to one million anglers by 2020. Adding that Victoria’s kingfish populations have boomed in recent years and they are now a popular target species for anglers with boats capable of heading offshore.
“Target One Million is investing a record $46 million into recreational fishing and continues to deliver a suite of projects like this one right in Torquay, which will get more Victorians fishing, more often.” Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney commented.

Minister Pulford pointed out that each FAD consists of a large floating surface buoy attached to a long rope that descends 25 metres to the reef below. Pelagic fish are attracted to structure, so with the addition of a smaller sub-surface buoy, the rope acts like a pathway that guides fish to the surface. The Minister added that Flashing lights on the FAD ensure safe navigation in low light and at night. The FADs will be installed in early December and will remain there for six months, when kingfish are most active, then removed to reduce the risk of damage during large winter swells or entanglement during whale migration. The Torquay reef was deployed in 2015 about three kilometres offshore. It is Victoria’s biggest artificial reef, and was funded largely by recreational fishing licence fees.
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