Rec Reef renamed to Rhys Reef

A popular recreational fishing reef in Port Phillip has been re-named to pay tribute to a budding fisher.

Rec Reef, off Aspendale, has been re-named Rhys Reef in honour of Rhys Gillard. Rhys was a passionate local fisher who passed away suddenly in 2021 from sudden cardiac arrest, aged just 17.

For Rhys, this reef was a favourite spot to fish from his kayak. He spent many happy hours fishing the reef with his brother and friends.

In April 2022, Rhys’ ashes were spread over the Reef by his family and friends, laying him to rest in this special spot. Rhys had strong ties to his community and was especially passionate about fishing and maintaining a healthy marine environment. He is described as having displayed all the qualities required to be a good fisherman – patient, observant, determined, adventurous and respectful.

RECREATIONAL FISHING REEFS

This reef is one of many deployed into Port Phillip to provide fishers with lasting memories like those Rhys enjoyed, making the renaming a fitting tribute.

The reefs provide even better recreational fishing opportunities in the now net-free Port Phillip, meaning there’s more snapper, King George whiting, flathead, calamari and kingfish for families to catch and take home to enjoy with loved ones.

The first recreational fishing reefs placed in Victorian waters were installed in May 2009 with the aim of improving fish habitat and enhancing recreational fishing opportunities.

The first three reefs were deployed in a water depth of 11m, approximately 2km out from Aspendale, Seaford and Frankston.

Since their installation, the reefs have provided excellent fish habitat and fishing for recreational fishers for species such as snapper, King George whiting and calamari.

Building on the success of the recreational fishing reefs deployed in 2009 for boat-based anglers in Port Phillip Bay, the Victorian Fisheries Authority deployed a further three reefs for shore-based anglers in 2012. The reefs are in a water depth of between 3-4.5 metres in three locations: approx. 40m seaward of Frankston Pier; 40-70m seaward of Portarlington Pier’s rock-wall section; and approx. 40m from the end of Altona Pier.

Each reef consists of 99 hollow dome shaped reef modules of different sizes arranged in three so big you would think you were landing kingfish.

With the big salmon and tailor coming into the estuary, it’s no surprise that the surf beaches are also firing, with plenty being caught on all the surf beaches in our area.

With all of those fish about, of course the big bronze whaler sharks are here in big numbers, giving the game-based anglers plenty of action. reef complexes of 33 reef modules each. The reef modules range between 170-340kg in weight and 50-60cm in height, and have numerous external openings to allow movement of currents and fish through the modules.

Offshore naturally is also fishing well, with plenty of flathead, gurnard, salmon, barracoota, morwong, pinkie snapper, squid, and gummy shark on the chew. And don’t forget the kingfish are still schooling around Marlo Reef and taking several different lures.

By positioning clusters of reef modules within casting distance from these piers, fish species targeted by shore-based anglers become more available.

You can learn more about Rhys Reef, and the other recreational fishing reefs in and around the bay, by heading to vfa. vic.gov.au. – Victorian Fisheries Authority