Fishing boat scuppered on Moreton Bay

A former fishing boat that will form part of an artificial reef in Moreton Bay in south-east Queensland has been sunk two days earlier than planned.

The 'Tiwi Pearl' was supposed to be flooded near St Helena Island on Sunday morning.

Instead, it was moved five kilometres to its planned position and scuppered on Friday afternoon to make an artificial reef for fishing.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Kate Jones says it was the safest option.

"Once it had broken two of its four moorings, the decision was made that it was taking water, and the safest and best option was to take it to its new home at Harry Atkinson Reef," she said.

"This is something that the recreational fishing industry wanted," she said.

"We agreed to deliver six artificial reefs across Moreton Bay and the sinking of the Tiwi Pearl will be the first of those."

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Fri 12th March 2010 - 06:26pm