The Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 (Sea Dumping Act) regulates the placement of artificial reefs in Australian waters where the purpose of the reef is:
- increasing or concentrating populations of marine plants and animals
- being used in human recreational activities (for example, but not limited to, scuba diving, fishing, and surfing).
For the purposes above, persons or organisations seeking to place artificial reefs need a sea dumping permit.
Permits
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority) has been delegated authority under the Sea Dumping Act, within the boundaries of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP). The National artificial reef guidelines do not apply within the GBRMP. Applicants should refer to the Reef Authority’s Policy on Fish Aggregating Devices and Artificial Reefs (2023). This policy provides details about artificial reef applications within the GBRMP. Any Reef Authority policies published in the future will also apply to applications in the GBRMP boundary.
Placing materials to create an artificial reef without a permit may attract fines, imprisonment, or both.
Permits are necessary to ensure that:
- the purpose of creating an artificial reef is legitimate (i.e., not waste disposal)
- selected sites are appropriate
- selected materials are suitable and prepared properly
- there are no adverse impacts on the marine environment
- placing an artificial reef does not pose a danger to navigation, fishers, divers, or other users of the sea.
Persons or organisations planning an artificial reef project should contact us as early as possible in the planning process. Submit a permit application before acquiring material for a proposed artificial reef.
Key considerations when preparing an artificial reef permit application include:
- the National artificial reef guidelines and application form
- evaluation and acquisition of adequate resources
- appropriate site selection
- material suitability and preparation requirements
- determining the method of placement
- post-placement monitoring and management
- preparing a Placement Plan and Long-Term Management Plan (LTMP)
- how decommissioning the artificial reef will occur when the permit expires.
Persons or organisations applying to place an artificial reef must consult with relevant stakeholders before submitting. This will include First Nations peoples, government agencies, and community and industry organisations.
National artificial reef guidelines
The National artificial reef guidelines are designed to assist when considering the placement of an artificial reef in Australian waters. Before applying for a permit, read the guidelines and the artificial reef permit application. The guidelines assist with completing the application and providing us with the right information for assessing whether to grant a permit.
The guidelines seek to provide clear, consistent standards and criteria for the development of artificial reefs, and for assessing artificial reef applications. The framework in the guidelines aims to ensure any potential impacts of placing an artificial reef are adequately assessed. The framework also provides guidance to effectively manage impacts if a permit is granted. The guidelines seek to promote better decision-making by improving the quality of information on which assessments are based.
Section 5 of the guidelines provides specific information about different types of artificial reefs. Detailed information on vessels and aircraft is included in this section. Information on purpose-built artificial reefs and repurposed infrastructure is being developed.
Resources
Artificial reef projects are labour-intensive and time-consuming. They can also be expensive, even if the materials are obtained at no cost. Organisations interested in placing artificial reefs must have the resources to construct and deploy the reef and to carry out long term monitoring requirements. This includes sufficient funds, committed personnel, appropriate expertise and equipment, and insurances.
Materials
Artificial reef properties such as biological productivity, species abundance and diversity, and value and amenity to human users, can be greatly enhanced by appropriate material selection and design decisions.
The immediate and ongoing protection of the marine environment from physical impacts (such as debris) and contaminants, as well as the enhancement of the local ecosystem, must be the main concerns when selecting materials for use in artificial reefs. Applicants will need to consider the properties and maintenance of materials in the long-term management of the artificial reef.
The history and use of repurposed material must be detailed including the chemical components of the materials, such as paints or coatings. It is becoming more common for us to receive artificial reef applications that include the repurposing of oil and gas infrastructure. This type of infrastructure can hold significant amounts of hazardous chemicals within parts, units and compartments. The National artificial reef guidelines and the London Convention and Protocol/UNEP Guidelines for the Placement of Artificial Reefs (UNEP Guidelines) provide details of the materials that must be removed from these structures before they will be considered for placement as artificial reefs.
There has been a shift in recent years towards using polypropylene (a type of plastic) fibres to reinforce concrete material in artificial reef modules. We are concerned about the potential impact of plastic fibres on the marine environment. The minister is unlikely to grant a permit for artificial reefs when the design includes plastic fibres. Artificial reefs should use traditional steel reinforcement or other natural fibres to reinforce concrete. A review of scientific literature and the expert opinion of the National Environmental Science Program have informed these recommendations.
Placement Plan
A Placement Plan must be developed by applicants and included as a separate document when submitting a permit application, The application must also detail and justify the intended method of preparation and placement.
The Placement Plan must include all preparation and placement activities. For example, the cutting of oil and gas infrastructure, a craning and lifting plan, any potential vessel usage, and involvement of divers. The plan must also outline human and navigational safety.
We provide a Placement Plan template which must be used for this purpose. An overview of the placement plan must also be provided in the artificial reef permit application.
Download
Placement Plan Template for artificial reef permit (PDF 143 KB)
Placement Plan Template for artificial reef permit (DOCX 70.2 KB)
Long-term Management Plan (LTMP)
A LTMP must be included as a separate document with the permit application. A detailed outline of the monitoring and management procedures must be included. Implementation of the LTMP normally forms part of the permit conditions.
In addition to responsibility for safe placement, the permit holder will also be responsible for long-term monitoring and management of the artificial reef for the permit duration. The LTMP commences when the activities outlined in the Placement Plan finish. That is, once it is verified the reef is placed as per the reef design.
We provide a Long-term Management Plan template, which must be used when developing the LTMP. An overview of the LTMP must also be provided in the artificial reef permit application form.
Download
Long-Term Management Plan Template for an artificial reef permit (PDF 168 KB)
Long-Term Management Plan Template for an artificial reef permit (DOCX 70.7 KB)
Permit application form and fee
For information on how to apply for a permit and pay the fee visit: how to apply for a sea dumping permit.
An application permit for an artificial reef incurs a fee as per the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Regulations 1983.
Download
Permit application form for an artificial reef (PDF 381 KB)
Permit application form for an artificial reef (DOC 107 KB)
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